Fernandes thanks sacked Carrick while rejecting second United contract offer

Bruno Fernandes paid public tribute to Michael Carrick on Instagram shortly after Manchester United sacked their head coach, posting a photograph of the pair shaking hands on the pitch alongside the message: “Thanks for everything, boss.”

The gesture came less than three weeks after Fernandes was dropped for a single match following his public criticism of United’s tactics after a 4-1 defeat to Como. The Portuguese captain was restored to the starting line-up almost immediately and featured in each of Carrick’s final three games in charge.

At the time, Fernandes pushed back against the narrative that his omission was a punishment, insisting “a lot of lies” were circulating about the nature of his relationship with the manager. His Instagram post on Tuesday was his first public comment on Carrick since a notably candid post-match interview after United’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, in which he had defended the head coach.

In that earlier interview, Fernandes had said: “It’s been tough; there’s been a lot of speculation in the media. A lot of lies around many things that have happened between the manager and me — that we have cleared the air. Then after that, the manager took the decision to put me on the bench because I’m not performing. That’s fair.”

He added: “Everyone thought that was a punishment for the words that I had. And, if it was, it was right. The manager is the one who makes the decisions. It doesn’t change the belief I have in the manager and the staff and every player in this club.”

Hours after the tribute post, The Athletic reported that Fernandes has rejected a second contract proposal from United. His current deal expires at the end of this season, though the club hold an option to extend it by one further year. Talks have been ongoing since the summer, when a first offer was also turned down, and further negotiations are expected.

Key sticking points are said to include the length of any new deal and Fernandes’ salary. He currently earns approximately £300,000 per week — £25,000 less than the club’s highest earner, Marcus Rashford. The Sun reported in August that United were prepared to make Fernandes their best-paid player. Last year, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal reportedly offered him roughly double his current wages.