The initial deal Fernandes signed when he moved from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 was for five and a half years with a further 12 months, but he has now signed an improved contract until June 2026. Fernandez told the club’s official website: “Ever since I came to Manchester United, I have had a special relationship with the club and our amazing fans. I grew up watching this team, dreaming of having the opportunity to play here one day. “This dream is now a reality and an honor. Even after two years, it still feels amazing to go out at Old Trafford, hear the fans sing my song and score in front of the Stretford End. It ‘s a real privilege to wear this shirt and fight for our incredible team. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Watch Bruno Fernandez’s great goal for Manchester United against Newcastle from all the best angles “There is a lot more I want to achieve here and I know the same goes for the rest of the team and the staff. Above all else, we want to give the fans the success they deserve. “We have shared some great moments in recent years, but the best has not yet come from me and this team.” Manager Ralph Rangnick said: “I think this is very good news for the club, for the fans, the fans and for Bruno to know that he will be here for the next four years. “There is no doubt that he is a very important player for this club and this team. This is great news, I congratulated him yesterday after his return from the World Cup Qualifiers. He played very well, he scored the most important goals to qualify. “ “Everyone is well aware of Bruno’s importance to Manchester United. His record of goals and assists is amazing and he has had an incredibly consistent performance since joining the club. “Bruno’s percentage of work, dedication and fantastic behavior is exactly what we want from a Manchester United player. He is the ultimate professional with many fantastic qualities to lead the high standards required to play in this great club. “Bruno, like everyone on the football team, remains extremely ambitious and determined to offer consistent success on the pitch to bring us back to the title challenge.” Saturday 2 April 17:00 Start 17:30 The 27-year-old was the club’s top player during his first 18 months at Old Trafford and has twice won the Sir Matt Busby Award for Best Player of the Year. Fernandez has made 117 appearances for United and has scored 49 goals in all competitions since moving from Sporting. He also scored both goals for Portugal in the middle of the week to secure his country’s place in the 2022 World Cup, defeating Northern Macedonia 2-0 in the playoffs. Fernandez will start his new season at Manchester United when the Premier League returns to Sky Sports as he will face Leicester from 17:00 starting at 17:30. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player See the two goals of Bruno Fernandes for Portugal in the victory in the playoffs of the World Cup against Northern Macedonia
“Strange time” for young Fernandes dealing with many other classification issues
Analysis by Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy: Of all the issues that Manchester United have to resolve, Bruno Fernandez’s commitment to a new contract with improved terms would be much lower on the list. The player’s previous contract had three years to run with the option for an additional 12 months and the development revolves clearly around his financial reward for his influence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the emphasis on his position in the team. Image: Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon It’s going to be a bit of a stretch in United’s long list of commitments, but it was not stressful. With the identity of the next permanent coach still unknown – whether he would see Fernandes as a key player as reflected in the new contract will be interesting, given the drop in form of the midfielder – and so many questions surrounding the team, timing it is strange. As progress is made on the boat front, with Eric Ten Hague giving a formal interview to take over the management of the club, United need to have more confidence in the composition of the team. The attack and the midfield need surgery, with the recruitment team accepting that the addition of the right striker and the anchor in the center of the park is imperative. Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata may leave in the summer, while the future of Marcus Rasford is uncertain. The English international’s performance was well below the level, but while he can point out that he played due to injury as a midfielder, Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire were also below expectations. What about the borrowers Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek? Or Dean Henderson, Eric Bailey and Nemanja Matic? Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ben Ransom says that the talks between Manchester United and the current coach of Ajax, Eric ten Hague, “went very well”, as the club wants to appoint their next coach. Then there is the riddle of Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as a series of deals that expire next summer. When it comes to the broader blueprint, Fernandes’ evolution is small.
Is Fernandes still winning the team uniform?
Manchester United are suffering from a tumultuous campaign after finishing second in the Premier League last season turned into a serious drop in form – culminating in Ole Gunnar Solskier losing his job last November. Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020 with a fanfare and immediately made it to the top with offensive returns and amulets – making him immediately the man United turned to. Given the team’s overall decline this season, Fernandes has undoubtedly continued to score 15 goals in the Premier League – only five players in the category have more – and creating 66 league opportunities from open play. Fragmented, only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals and Paul Pogba has scored more assists for United. The 27-year-old has made more touches and passes in the last third than any other player in the club and regained possession in the last third, 23 times over the team. Has the team dive affected Fernandez or does his dive affect the team? The question alone underscores its importance, and its returns remain impressive during a turbulent season – and a new five-year contract suggests the hierarchy agrees.
