Concern is mounting within the Manchester United dressing room over the future of captain Bruno Fernandes, with fresh reports suggesting the Portuguese star could seek a departure this summer.
Teammates Fear Fernandes Has "Had Enough"
According to a report from The Sun, several of Fernandes' colleagues at Old Trafford are worried he may leave the club when the season concludes. The source indicates that the players believe the club's skipper and chief playmaker has grown weary of the ongoing "shambles" at United.
The report claims that some squad members think Bruno has had enough and, to be honest, they don't blame him. He is consistently praised for giving 100% and has been regarded as the club's standout performer since his arrival.
Summer Saudi Approach and Candid Contract Talks
This is not the first time Fernandes' future has been in the spotlight. Last summer, the midfielder was the subject of serious interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, who were prepared to offer a staggering £100million transfer fee and triple his wages.
Despite the lucrative proposal, Fernandes opted to stay. In a revealing interview with Canal+, he explained his decision was not only for family reasons but because he "genuinely liked the club." However, he admitted feeling hurt by the club's perceived ambivalence, stating: "From the club I felt; 'If you go it's not that bad for us'. It hurts me a bit."
Fernandes, whose contract runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year, also disclosed detailed conversations with United's hierarchy. He confirmed speaking with both director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada while the team was in Malaysia.
"I told Omar; 'Look, this is what is on the table... I just want to know your perspective'," Fernandes revealed. The response from the executives was that they wanted him to stay but would not stand in his way due to the "massive money" involved.
Manager's Plea and Current Discontent
The player's most crucial ally appeared to be then-manager Ruben Amorim. Fernandes stated that Amorim explicitly told him: "No, we want more players to help you to become a better team so we don't want you to go." The manager argued that losing his captain would be a collective setback.
However, the situation has reportedly deteriorated since. The source suggests Fernandes is disappointed with the new ownership structure at United, and Amorim's recent dismissal has done little to improve his outlook. This confluence of factors has led to the current climate of uncertainty surrounding his long-term commitment.
With the summer transfer window approaching and a World Cup on the horizon, all eyes will be on whether Bruno Fernandes decides his future lies away from Manchester, or if the club can convince their talisman to stay and lead a new era.
