Manchester United shelve Bruno Fernandes contract talks to focus on summer signings

Manchester United have shelved contract talks with Bruno Fernandes, with club officials choosing to focus resources on new signings this summer while remaining confident the captain will stay at Old Trafford.

Fernandes is entering the final 12 months of his £250,000-a-week contract, though he holds an option to extend it by a further year. Before departing with Portugal’s squad for World Cup preparations in North America, the 31-year-old held discussions with senior figures at the club and made clear he had no intention of leaving. United bosses say they will return to formal contract negotiations before the end of 2026.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made fresh recruitment the immediate priority. United are on the verge of completing a £35 million deal with Atalanta for midfielder Ederson, and manager Michael Carrick is also targeting a new centre-back and a left winger. The club’s return to the Champions League next season, combined with assurances of significant squad investment, were key factors in Fernandes’ decision to remain committed to the project.

Fernandes carries a £55 million release clause, but United are confident no club will trigger it given he turns 32 in September and would command substantial wages. His importance to the side under Carrick has been underlined by multiple individual honours this season.

Retaining Fernandes is considered a significant win for a United side that harbours ambitions of mounting a Premier League title challenge next season. With Champions League football secured and a recruitment drive under way, the club appears to be building around its captain rather than replacing him.