Bruno Fernandes’ future at Manchester United is no longer set in stone. The Portuguese midfielder has been indispensable for the Red Devils since arriving at the club from Sporting in January 2020.
Bruno has scored 100 goals and set up 86 more from 297 games in all competitions for the Premier League giants to date, and remains the heartbeat of the team.
The 31 year old has won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup during his stay at the Theatre of Dreams, while also helping the club reach two Europa League finals.
However, with his contract expiring at the end of next season, speculation has been rife regarding his next move.
Was a wanted man this summer
Bruno was a wanted man this summer as well, with clubs from the Middle East eager to prise him away. Al-Hilal reportedly offered £100m for his signature and were willing to hand the Portuguese mouth-watering wages to make the move.
However, the player turned them down, as he wanted to stay at Old Trafford. United were not too keen to let their talisman leave either and their decision has been vindicated.
Bruno has been deployed in a deeper position this season following the arrival of Matheus Cunha over the summer. Despite operating in a midfield two alongside Casemiro, the Portuguese has still been a vital cog in Ruben Amorim’s system.
While the Red Devils will be happy they refused to let him go this summer, their resolve could be tested once again at the turn of the year.
Saudi clubs set to reignite interest
According to The Manchester Evening News, clubs from the Middle East are planning to return for the Portuguese ace in January.
The report states: “Sources have claimed Saudi clubs are likely to try to tempt Fernandes to leave in January, where he could command wages of £700,000-a-week, tax-free – more than double his current salary.”
Such an offer could tempt the player to make the move and secure his future. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes is not cup-tied, so he could be a lucrative prospect for top clubs in Europe as well.
The Premier League giants, though, will be reluctant to let him leave this winter. Despite multiple new arrivals over the summer, the Portuguese remains one of the club’s most influential players and the team continues to look to him for inspiration. Replacing Bruno in the middle of the season, as such, will be next to impossible.
However, United are yet to get going under Amorim, and if their struggles continue till the turn of the year, and a lucrative offer arrives on the table, the Portuguese could be tempted to jump ship.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
