Bruno Fernandes is holding back from signing a new Manchester United contract, and the reason behind this has now emerged.
Talks stall
United have endured a tough start to the season as they sit in 12th place, having managed just six points from their opening six games.
They were also beaten 2-0 by Atlético Madrid on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, further compounding their woes.
Slightly more worrisome for United is the poor form of their captain. Fernandes was United’s best player by a significant margin last season, winning the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards. He contributed a remarkable 21 assists, breaking the previous record that was held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Except for that 5-2 demolition of Ipswich Town, he has been a shadow of the player he was only months ago.
Michael Carrick attributed Fernandes’ struggles to an injury before revealing that he has now almost fully recovered from it. His performances, most recently against Atlético, continue to give rise to concern.
Fernandes’ contract expires in the summer of 2027, although United retain the option of extending his stay by an additional 12 months.
United want to keep him, but there has been no progress in talks. Now, Roundtable claim that broken promises and doubts over the club’s ambition are behind Fernandes’ reluctance.
Fernandes update
Roundtable report, “There has been no progress on fresh terms in recent weeks.”
“After clear ambition and keeping promises emerged as key factors in securing his renewal, the club captain is becoming concerned about United’s ambitions, with this being a significant factor surrounding the lack of progress of late.”
“That being said, the the parties involved remain in talks, with the club trying to convince Fernandes that remaining at Old Trafford is still in his best interests.”
This Fernandes development comes in the wake of Lisandro Martínez criticising the failure of the top brass to adequately back Carrick during the summer window.
Featured image by Julian Finney via Getty Images
1 comment
Lisandro Martinez is my hero. Congratulations Lisandro for taking the opportunity to voice the facts about that bunch of charlatans who sit as directors at the head of our club. When we, the supporters, make staements about the incompetence of those at the top, our comments are ignored and the matter disappears. Only when a player of his experience and ability makes such a comment, does the matter count. He has damaged himself with this statement, but he has benefitted the club, and I thank him for that.