How Manchester United convinced Bruno Fernandes to stay after being ‘ready to leave’

Manchester United captain was ‘ready to leave’ over the summer, but was convinced to stay after the club ‘panicked and gave him a massive new deal,’ according to reports.

The Portuguese midfielder signed a new contract in August which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option for a further year.

The 30-year-old has been wearing the captain’s armband under Erik ten Hag but there were reports of interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona and the possibility that he could leave over the summer.

ESPN report that the possibility of an exit was very real and Fernandes was ‘ready to leave’ during the last transfer window.

However, not wanting to lose their captain as the club rebuild with INEOS on board, the report says ‘the club panicked and gave him a massive new deal.’

Fernandes did strongly hint that he was considering his future before signing his new contract, telling DAZN Portugal in April: ‘Obviously, it doesn’t just depend on me, does it?

‘A player always has to want to be here, but at the same time, you have to want him to stay. At the moment, I feel there’s that on both sides.

‘I’m not thinking too much about the future, not least because, obviously, this season hasn’t been at the level I’d hoped for, either individually or collectively, so far.

‘So, if you want me to be very honest, if I have to think about not continuing in the Premier League, it won’t be until after the Euros because nothing will be able to take my focus away from the FA Cup final and the Euros, as there’s nothing more important than that at the moment.’

However, on signing the new contract in August, thought to be worth over £300,000-a-week, he said: ‘Everybody knows the passion I have for Manchester United. I understand the responsibility and significance of wearing this shirt, and the levels of dedication and desire required to represent this incredible club.

‘I have had so many special moments here already; hearing my name sung from the Stretford End, scoring a hat-trick against Leeds, leading the team out at Old Trafford on European nights and lifting trophies at Wembley. But I wouldn’t have signed this contract if I didn’t believe that my best moments in a United shirt are still to come.

‘From my discussions with the football leadership and manager, it is clear how determined everyone is to fight for major trophies in the years ahead. I can see how positive the future is going to be and I am relishing leading this team forward.’

Fernandes will be in action for Manchester United on Saturday against Brentford at Old Trafford after being shown a red card in two of his last three outings for the Red Devils.

His straight red against Tottenham last month was successfully appealed and he did not receive a Premier League ban as a result.

However, he was then sent-off in the following match as United drew 3-3 at Porto in the Europa League.