Why Manchester United should hand Bruno Fernandes a new deal | OneFootball

Manchester United are hoping to usher in a new era at the Theatre of Dreams under INEOS. The 2024/25 campaign ended on a woeful note, with the club finishing 15th in the Premier League and even losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur by a 1-0 scoreline.

INEOS, though, remained steadfast in their commitment to improving the team and invested over £200m in new players over the summer.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko now form a new-look attack, while Senne Lammens was signed to eventually become the new No. 1 at Old Trafford.

Even after all that investment, one man remains their most important player – Bruno Fernandes.

An instant impact at Old Trafford

When Bruno Fernandes arrived at the Theatre of Dreams from Sporting in January 2020, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were an inconsistent bunch. The Portuguese turned out to be the missing link, as United didn’t lose another game in the league that season.

The Red Devils finished third in the league and reached the semifinals of the FA Cup and the Europa League. Bruno Fernandes ended the season with 12 goals and 8 assists from 22 games.

Such was his impact that the Portuguese Magnifico won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award, despite arriving in the middle of the season.

But Bruno didn’t just score goals; he lifted the entire team. He took charge, setting up his teammates, scoring penalties, and becoming the creative hub of Ole’s setup.

He has retained that impact through a series of managerial changes since the Norwegian. Even this season, Bruno Fernandes’ impact in Ruben Amorim’s team remains undiminished, despite operating from a deeper role.

Stats to back it up

Since he arrived in the Premier League, no player has created more chances than Bruno Fernandes. Second on that list, by a country mile, is Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite operating in the double pivot in Amorim’s system, the Portuguese remains on the leaderboard in that category this season as well. He has also created the most chances in the league in the last three seasons.

On Saturday, the United skipper played a key role in helping his team secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford. In the process, Bruno Fernandes registered his 100th goal for the club, from 296 games in all competitions. The Portuguese also has 86 assists to his name for the English giants.

The stats put him among the legends of the club, as only three other foreign players have reached that fabled figure for the Premier League giants – Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Solskjaer.

Fernandes is also the 19th player to score 100 goals for United, and is already a club legend. His contract expires in 2027, and it is pivotal that the Red Devils now tie him down to a new deal.

Committed to pursuing the glory days

Bruno Fernandes was heavily linked with an exit from the Theatre of Dreams this summer, but turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to stay.

In an era where players are flocking to the Middle East for a fat pay cheque and an easy life, the United skipper’s decision tells us everything we need to know about his commitment to the club.

It also signifies his belief in himself and in United, as they head through turbulent times on the pitch. Fernandes wants to help the club regain their glory days, and he wants to be a part of the journey too.

United need his experience

When Sir Alex Ferguson rebuilt his teams over the years, he relied heavily on youth. However, there was always a core group of experienced players who instilled the standards on the pitch and in the locker room.

The Red Devils have gone through a lot of changes in recent times, which have affected their cultural identity. This is why they need a figure like Bruno at the club now more than ever, especially since he is already a popular man in the dressing room.

The Portuguese magnifico will continue to hold players accountable and ensure budding talents don’t lose their way. He will help improve the culture at the club and inspire the rise of new leaders in the roster.

A Stellar fitness record

Many will argue that Bruno Fernandes’ stint with United must come to an end in 2026, especially since he will turn 32 at the start of next season. The best time to sell him, sceptics will say, was this summer, and the second best is next year.

However, not all athletes are built the same. Eden Hazard retired at the age of 32, having managed just 72 appearances in his four injury-ravaged seasons at Real Madrid.

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, has missed just three games with injuries since arriving at the club over five and a half years ago. He famously played with a broken arm in the 2023/24 season, inspiring them to a 4-2 win over Coventry City in the FA Cup.

Here is a player who is equally adept at operating as a No. 10, a false nine, on the wings, and who has now adapted his game to excel in the pivot role. The 31 year old’s work ethic has been exemplary as well.

Last season, he covered a distance of 390.39 km in the Premier League, the ninth-most in the league. Interestingly, he was the only United player in the top ten.

The cost of letting him go

Should United let Bruno leave, they may have to invest around 100m to buy a player of a similar skillset. A midfielder with an eye for a pass, who creates, scores, and never stops running on the pitch, who is experienced in the Premier League, will be very hard to find.

Which is why a renewal makes sense financially as well. Tying the Portuguese down to a new contract, even with a pay hike, could be a win-win situation for the Premier League giants.

Bruno is good enough to play for a few more years in Europe, and he won’t be short of offers next year as well. United could be left red faced if he moves to a European club and ends up creating history elsewhere.

Deserves to retire at Old Trafford

Ahead of the 2024 FA Cup final, Bruno Fernandes penned an open letter to fans via The Players’ Tribune. He wrote about his children, who have embraced the way of the club, and listen to “Glory Glory Man United!” in the back seat on their way to school.

He spoke lovingly about his wife, Ana, who had been with him through the ups and downs of life. He remembered walking down the tunnel at Old Trafford for the first time and the fans singing his song.

He also recalled shedding tears of joy in the closet when learning that Manchester United wanted to sign him. Bruno Fernandes is one of us, and he deserves to sign a new deal and enjoy a dream end to life at the Theatre of Dreams.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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