Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes has extended his contract with Manchester United after an impressive campaign with the club.
The former Sporting Lisbon star penned a new two-year deal with United to extend his stay with the club till 2027.
According to Manchester Evening News, a one-year extension option has been attached to the deal, and if triggered, Bruno Fernandes will complete a nine-season spell with United.
The new agreement followed positive talks with the 29-year-old, who was linked to a possible exit from the club this summer. Before the new contract, Fernandes had a year left in his Manchester United contract. Recall the Portuguese joined United midway into the 2019-20 season for £67m, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract.
With 12 months left in the old deal, the had to move fast to secure the services of the player for an additional two years following interest by European rivals.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich led the list of clubs who were interested in Bruno Fernandes following his standout performances in England. However, the player had been insistent on his resolve to continue his career at the Stretford End.
Bruno Fernandes’ Manchester United career recap
Note that Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United as one of the best midfielders in Europe. In the 2018-19 season, he was the highest-scoring midfielder in the top five leagues in Europe with 33 goals for Sporting Lisbon.
He left the Primeira Liga outfit with a back-to-back Best Player of the Season Award. Notably, despite United’s dwindling fortunes in the domestic and European scene, Bruno Fernandes has shone bright with his brilliant individual performances.
He has scored 79 goals and contributed 67 assists in his 234 appearances for the club. His best campaign with Manchester United was in the 2020-21 season in which he scored 18 goals plus 12 assists in 37 Premier League appearances.
Reacting to his new deal with United, Fernandes reiterated his passion for the club and pride of wearing a Manchester United shirt. He added that his decision to pen down a new contract is due to his conviction that his best moments with the club are yet to come.
“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,” he said.
Erik ten Hag reacts to Bruno Fernandes’ new contract
Also reacting to the new contract, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hailed Bruno Fernandes for his role in the team. According to the Dutchman, Fernandes is a committed, hardworking, and intelligent player who meant so much for United.
“Bruno is an intelligent, hardworking, and committed player. He is a top player and very important for the team,” he said.
Recall Erik ten Hag promoted Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United captain last season, considering the exceptional leadership skills of the player on and off the field.
He has been integral to the Dutch’s Manchester United squad and will be expected to play a big role in the upcoming 2024-24 Premier League campaign.
Bruno Fernandes’ new contract terms
Fernandes signed a new Manchester United contract for two additional years. His old contract was set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, but he will now continue till 2027, with a possibility for 2028.
It has yet to be determined whether his wages with the club have been improved due to the new offer. Meanwhile, based on his old contract, he is among the top earners at Manchester United with a weekly wage of £240,000.
What next for Bruno Fernandes after the new Manchester United contract?
Manchester United struggled last season with underwhelming appearances in the Premier League and Europe. Fernandes will be expected to play a crucial role as the club set out to change the narrative this season.
