Bruno Fernandes' Atletico Madrid move accelerating after Manchester United fallout with Carrick

Bruno Fernandes is moving closer to a January departure from Manchester United, with Spanish outlet Fichajes reporting that Atletico Madrid are accelerating their pursuit of the 32-year-old amid a deepening rift at Old Trafford.

Fernandes was dropped to the bench for Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth after publicly criticising manager Michael Carrick following last week’s Champions League loss to Como, saying the tactical decisions that cost United the game were “on the manager and staff to see”. Carrick did not bring his captain on in the second half, and the home crowd notably cheered the manager’s name before turning on the players — a sign that Fernandes’ standing with sections of the fanbase has taken a hit.

According to Fichajes, Fernandes has “been considering leaving” for some time, with Atletico Madrid monitoring the situation and now pushing to finalise a deal this winter. Los Colchoneros have lacked creativity in advanced midfield positions since Antoine Griezmann departed for Major League Soccer, and Fernandes — who contributed 20 assists last season — fits the profile of player Diego Simeone’s side need.

The fallout has drawn sharp reactions from United’s former players. Gary Neville claimed the Portuguese had “conned” Carrick, while Roy Keane last week attacked “the mindset of a Manchester United player” in pointed remarks widely interpreted as directed at the squad’s senior figures.

The biggest complication in any deal remains United’s willingness to sell their captain mid-season while the club sit in the midst of a difficult campaign — Sunday’s loss was their sixth defeat in all competitions. Fernandes has registered 111 goals and 109 assists in 338 appearances for the club, and moving him on in January would be a deeply contentious call for the board at a time when supporter trust in the ownership is at a low ebb.

Fernandes is contracted at Old Trafford until the end of the 2026/27 season, with United holding an option to extend that by a further year. Transfermarkt values him at €35 million. Whether the club choose to exercise that option or cash in this winter may hinge as much on the managerial situation as on Atletico’s offer — Carrick, whose contract runs to 2028, is under mounting pressure, and any incoming head coach would likely want to reset the relationship with the club’s most creative player.