Bruno Fernandes has candidly opened up about his conversations with Manchester United after the Portugal midfielder extended his stay at Old Trafford this summer.
The 29-year-old Manchester United star has been an integral part of the first team since his arrival from Portuguese side Sporting CP in 2020.
Signed from Sporting CP in a deal initially worth £47m, Bruno Fernandes has had a sensational impact during his playing spell at the Premier League club.
The Red Devils midfielder has scored 79 times and registered 67 assists in 235 appearances, with Fernandes playing a largely influential role on the pitch.
Fernandes ascended to the United captaincy in 2023 after Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag stripped Harry Maguire of the club’s armband last summer.
The Portugal international, who is arguably United’s best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, has lifted the FA Cup and the League Cup since his time with the club.
Fernandes’ message to Man Utd
Bruno Fernandes put to rest speculation over his Manchester United future this summer after he inked a new deal with the Red Devils.
The United captain’s contract was set to expire in 2026 before he signed an extension that now runs until June 2027.
Fernandes was met with criticism last season over his behaviour and antics on the field after he succeeded Harry Maguire as United captain.
The former Sporting CP star also faced mounting pressure over his form and consistency in the 2023-24 campaign, despite remaining a key player for United.
Erik ten Hag kept faith with Fernandes amid the criticism that he received and the Portugal midfielder will continue his long-term future under the Dutchman.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Fernandes insisted that he told the Red Devils that they could not “promise” to him that United would win the league.
However, the Red Devils skipper wanted to be part of a United team that can “compete” and remain “competitive” over the course of a campaign.
“The club knew that I want to compete with the best teams,” Fernandes said.
“They knew that we needed to improve the team. And I think that we’re doing that.
“Obviously, I said to them: ‘I don’t need you to promise me that we’re going to win the league.’ Because no-one can promise that.
“But at least that we will have a team to compete and be competitive through the season, to try to achieve silverware and to compete in the highest levels.
“I think the club is doing that. It’s trying to bring people in to get more players with quality in the team; to get more competitive, [so everyone is] fighting for your place.
“But my first choice was always to stay at the club. It was not even demands, but the things that I wanted to see: the club going forward, [so] I could see a future on that.
“To be honest, I look now and I see that the club is making an effort for that.”
Fernandes on committing to Man Utd
Fernandes reiterated that he has settled into life in England and now has a special connection with the city of Manchester.
“Me and my wife, when we just arrived back in Manchester, we said: ‘It feels like home,’” he said.
“It’s something strong to say, even more [from] my side, because I’m a real home person and I love my country, I love my city.
“So, for me to say that, and my wife saying that ‘It feels like home here,’ it’s something that means a lot.
“Because I love my friends, I love my family, I love to be in Portugal for the time I spend there.
“And to have the same kind of feeling when I’m here, it’s really something special.”
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