Fernandes rejects two United contract offers and waits to judge Pochettino era

Bruno Fernandes has rejected two contract offers from Manchester United and is adopting a wait-and-see approach over his future at Old Trafford, with his existing deal set to expire at the end of the season, according to a report in The Sun.

The Portuguese captain wants to assess how Mauricio Pochettino, who takes charge next week following the sacking of Michael Carrick, builds and backs the squad before deciding whether to sign a new deal. United do hold a one-year extension clause that would prevent Fernandes leaving on a free transfer this summer, but the club are clearly keen to secure a longer commitment from their talisman.

A source told The Sun: “Bruno wants to see what happens for the rest of this season before committing. His relationship with the club has been up and down in the last few years. He enjoyed a best-ever season but is unhappy with some of the decisions since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos bought into the club. He knows Poch is a good manager but wants to see the club back him properly — he and some other players think they have been set up to fail this season.”

Pochettino arrives at a club sitting in the Premier League relegation zone after a deeply troubled campaign. The Argentine had signed a four-year contract as United States men’s national team head coach in August but opted to leave that role to take charge at Old Trafford, a position he has long been linked with.

Fernandes’s frustrations with the club’s direction have been visible for some time. He launched a public criticism of Carrick’s tactics following a defeat at Como earlier this season, a outburst that led to him being dropped for the subsequent loss to Bournemouth, where he was jeered by sections of the home support.

The wider squad discontent has also surfaced elsewhere. Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy weeks ago over their failure to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window, with United unable to sign a left-back or a recognised striker among their primary targets.

Fernandes earns around £300,000 a week at Old Trafford, making him one of the club’s highest earners. Saudi Pro League clubs have previously been credited with an interest in the 30-year-old, though no formal offer has been reported at this stage.