Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes confirmed he will not discuss his future until after next year’s World Cup. The 31-year-old will make his 300th appearance for United on Saturday as the team seeks to end three consecutive home defeats against Brighton.
Fernandes has missed only 17 games since joining United from Sporting for £47 million in January 2020, with just three absences due to injury or illness. He rejected a massive offer from Al-Hilal last summer and dismissed further interest from Saudi Arabia and Europe.
Sources close to him said he does not plan to move to Saudi Arabia, though major European clubs remain interested. His contract, which runs until 2027 with an optional extra year, reportedly includes a £56.68 million release clause for foreign clubs if triggered early.
Fernandes Focused on Commitment and Stability
Fernandes said he still feels content at United and remains driven to fulfill his ambitions with the club. He denied rumors of a pre-agreed transfer and said he has not spoken to any clubs or representatives about leaving.
“My agent knows I’ll only talk after the World Cup,” he said. “Until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”
He admitted discussing Al-Hilal’s approach during United’s post-season trip to Asia, consulting chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, manager Ruben Amorim, Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, and his family. All acknowledged the huge sums involved, but none urged him to leave. Amorim even encouraged him to stay, insisting the team needed him to grow stronger.
Fernandes said his wife, Ana, reminded him he still has goals to achieve at United. He added that his family feels at home in England and that their comfort influences his decision to stay.
Leadership, Dedication, and Belief in Teammates
Fernandes continues to lead by example. Less than a day after United’s first win at Anfield since 2016, he returned to Carrington in heavy rain to train and support teammates. Those close to him describe his commitment to the club as “body and soul.”
He values collective achievements over personal accolades, saying trophies matter more than praise or statistics. “I want to win titles and be remembered for helping the team succeed, not just for numbers,” he said.
Addressing United’s recruitment, Fernandes stressed that technical skill alone cannot define a United player. “We need big characters who can handle pressure,” he said. He praised newcomers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for their confidence and creativity.
Regarding competition with Kobbie Mainoo, Fernandes said both can thrive together. “Kobbie plays differently but makes me better,” he explained. “We push each other, and that benefits the team.”
