Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has dismissed speculation about his future, insisting he has no agreement to leave the club and will not discuss potential transfers until after the 2026 World Cup.
The Portuguese midfielder, who will make his 300th appearance for the club in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton, reaffirmed his commitment to United amid growing rumours linking him with moves to Saudi Arabia and top European sides.
“I feel good here. I still want to achieve my dreams,” Fernandes said. “I’ve seen a lot of people say I already have an agreement to go next season. If the club has done that, it wasn’t made with me. I haven’t spoken with anyone. My agent knows how I work — if he wants to talk, it will be after the World Cup.”
Loyal Through Turbulent Times
Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47 million, Fernandes has become one of United’s most consistent performers, missing only 17 games in nearly six years. Three of those absences were due to injury or illness — a testament to his durability and professionalism.
In the summer, Fernandes rejected a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, reportedly worth over £100 million, opting instead to continue leading United’s rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim. His decision came after conversations with chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, and close friend Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the financial temptation, Fernandes said the choice to stay was rooted in his family’s happiness and his unfinished business at Old Trafford.
“My family feels very well here,” he explained. “My kids love school, and even with the weather, we feel at home. My wife asked me, ‘Have you achieved everything you wanted at the club?’ She knows I haven’t — and that pushed me to stay.”
Determined to Deliver Trophies
United have endured mixed fortunes in recent seasons, and Fernandes acknowledges that team success remains the ultimate goal. While he has earned individual praise for his leadership and creative output, he admits personal accolades mean little without silverware.
“I want people to say good things about me, but I want team achievements,” he said. “That’s missing in my time at United. I haven’t been able to deliver the success this club and its fans deserve. I want to win trophies and be remembered for what I gave to the club, not just my numbers.”
Fernandes’ dedication is evident beyond matchdays. Less than a day after United’s first win over Liverpool at Anfield since 2016, he was seen at Carrington in the rain, watching teammates train after completing his own gym session.
“When people say I’m committed body and soul to United, this is what they mean,” a club source told BBC Sport.
Leadership and Mentorship
The 31-year-old has also emerged as a mentor to United’s younger players, particularly Kobbie Mainoo, who many see as his long-term successor. But Fernandes insists he views the talented Englishman as a teammate rather than competition.
“I don’t see Kobbie as competition,” he said. “He’s very capable of doing what I can do, just in a different way. I might score more goals, and he might take on players more — but together, we make the team stronger. He makes me a better player.”
Fernandes also praised new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, describing them as players with “big characters” who understand the pressure of representing Manchester United.
“At this club, being a good player isn’t enough,” he said. “You need the mentality to handle the attention and expectations that come with wearing this shirt.”
As Fernandes prepares for his milestone 300th game, his message is clear — he is not planning an exit, and his focus remains squarely on restoring Manchester United to glory.
“My dream is to win major trophies with this club,” he said. “Until then, I’m not done here.”
