Erik ten Hag’s irreplacable fan-favourite mulls over summer move after four-and-a-half years

A report released late on Monday evening may have caught Manchester United fans by surprise after it was claimed Bruno Fernandes is considering his future away from Old Trafford.

It’s worth noting that the story did come from The Sun, so maybe take it with a pinch of salt.

The club captain had already raised eyebrows with comments he made last month, saying that if he were to look at embarking on a new venture elsewhere, it would have to wait until after this summer’s Euros.

It’s thought that Fernandes, 29, could opt to take his services out of the Premier League and to a ‘less demanding’ league in a warmer climate. There is expected to be strong interest from Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, but it’s unlikely that he’ll choose to draw the curtains on his European career at this stage of his career, given the world-class abilities and athleticism he possesses.

Last Monday, the Portugal playmaker ended a four-and-a-half-year record by missing his first-ever United game through injury when he was absent from the matchday squad to face Crystal Palace. He was also missing for the subsequent defeat to Arsenal and could well be sidelined for Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle United.

Fernandes ranks high in the manager’s estimations

Erik ten Hag made the audacious decision last July to strip Harry Maguire of the club’s captaincy and award the armband to Fernandes, so the manager’s stance on his chosen leader’s potential exit is already clear.

Since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, the midfielder has notched 79 goals and 64 assists in 230 appearances. His contract runs until June 2026 with the option to extend for a further year.