Bruno Fernandes rejects second Manchester United contract offer

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a second contract offer from the club, raising further uncertainty over his long-term future at Old Trafford as negotiations over a new deal remain unresolved.

The 32-year-old Portuguese midfielder has a contract running until June 2027, with Manchester United eager to secure his services beyond the current agreement.

However, their latest proposal has failed to convince the club captain, following an earlier offer that was also rejected during the summer.

Discussions between the two parties have been ongoing for several months.

Fernandes is understood to be dissatisfied with the terms proposed, with salary and the length of the contract among the issues still being discussed.

Despite the setbacks, United remain determined to retain their captain and are expected to continue negotiations with his representatives in an attempt to reach an agreement.

The Premier League side also have an option to extend Fernandes’ existing contract by an additional 12 months.

Exercising that option would keep him at Old Trafford until 2028 and prevent him from entering discussions with foreign clubs in January over a potential free transfer at the end of the season.

Fernandes’ situation could attract interest from clubs outside England, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where Al Hilal previously showed interest in signing him.

However, no agreement has been reached with another club, and his immediate future remains uncertain.

The midfielder is coming off an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, during which he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential players.

He registered 21 assists, setting a new competition record, and was subsequently named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year in August.

His individual achievements came as Manchester United secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, earning qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding Fernandes’ contract comes at a difficult moment for the club, which has dismissed head coach Michael Carrick following a disappointing start to the 2026-27 campaign.

United have reached an agreement with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino to become their next head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Argentine is expected to complete his commitments with the United States national team before taking charge at Old Trafford after the international break.

Interestingly, Fernandes previously revealed that he came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 when Pochettino was in charge, but Sporting CP blocked the proposed transfer.

Pochettino’s arrival could therefore become an important factor in determining the direction of Manchester United's plans, including the future of their captain.