Bruno Fernandes: Jose Fonte delivers verdict on United skipper’s future | OneFootball

Where would Manchester United be without Bruno Fernandes this season? The Red Devils have been rejuvenated following the arrival of caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who has taken them on a run of seven wins and a draw in their last nine games.

This has helped the English giants climb up to third in the Premier League table after 30 games, and has bolstered their chances of securing Champions League football next season. One major change Carrick made following his arrival in January was to reinstate Fernandes in his preferred No. 10 position.

The 31 year old had started the season as part of a two-man pivot alongside Casemiro in former head coach Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. While Fernandes adapted admirably to a change in position and hardly looked out of place in a deeper role, it is clear that he can inflict the most damage as an attacking midfielder.

Premier League Player of the Season?

Despite playing half of the campaign in a deeper role, Fernandes has still notched up 17 assists across competitions, including 16 in the league. He now has the most assists in a Premier League season for United, and will also have his sights on Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of 20 league assists.

The Portuguese has been the most creative player in the Premier League this season and has won the Player of the Matchweek award on five occasions, the most so far this campaign. His assists have helped the Red Devils pick up 18 points this season, the most by any player in a single Premier League campaign.

Bruno Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

However, the United skipper’s future is becoming the talk of the town ahead of the summer transfer window, especially since he is already in the final 18 months of his contract. The Portuguese maestro was subject to an intense pursuit from Saudi Arabia last year, but ended up staying at Old Trafford.

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person stated that the Red Devils are already planning to tie him down to a new deal. Fernandes’ former international teammate Jose Fonte has now provided his opinion on the matter.

Bruno Fernandes advised to stay at United

Speaking to talkSPORT, Fonte advised Fernandes to continue his stay at the Theatre of Dreams. He said: “It’s very complicated to speak for somebody else. Me? I would stay 100%. I think the club looks like it’s on a good trajectory now under Michael Carrick.”

“And, the club, as we all know, is a massive club. Bruno is becoming, if not already is, a legend at Man Utd. I think he loves the city, he loves the club. He is thriving again, so why not stay until the rest of your career because one of the best clubs in the world?”

Fernandes is the third player after Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs to have registered 100 goals and 100 assists for United. The Portuguese has racked up 105 goals and 103 assists in 319 appearances for the Premier League giants to date.

Final Thoughts

While United are expected to invest further in their squad this summer, extending Fernandes’ stay should be their priority at the moment. The Portuguese is the midfield metronome that gets the entire team ticking, and while he will be very difficult to replace, it is not a conversation that the Red Devils should consider this summer.

Where would Manchester United be without Fernandes this season? Fans would argue that the Portuguese has been indispensable ever since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams in January 2020, and is, perhaps, their most important player right now.

Featured image Lewis Storey via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social