Bruno Fernandes has turned down a second offer to extend his Manchester United contract, dealing a blow to the club’s efforts to keep their captain as they prepare for a change of manager and his current deal enters its final months.
Laurie Whitwell and Adam Crafton of The Athletic reported that United improved their offer after Fernandes rejected an initial proposal in the summer. The revised terms failed to convince the Portuguese midfielder, although talks are expected to continue.
Salary and contract length remain the two points United need to resolve to persuade the 32-year-old to commit beyond his current deal.
Fernandes is under contract until June 2027, and United have an option to extend it by a further year. If the expiry date remains unchanged, he can open talks with clubs outside England in January over a free transfer in the summer.
Al Hilal made a serious move for the United captain in the summer of 2025, but Fernandes chose to stay in England. He joined United from Sporting CP in January 2020.
United are keen to keep Fernandes after a season in which he set a Premier League record with 21 assists and won both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Fernandes rejected the second offer as United sacked Michael Carrick and moved closer to appointing Mauricio Pochettino as his successor. Pochettino tried to sign Fernandes for Tottenham in 2019, but Sporting insisted on keeping him.
The one-year option gives United a way to protect their position before January. A new deal would secure their captain’s future for longer.
