Bruno Fernandes has committed his future to Manchester United as they embrace a new era with INEOS undertaking sporting control. The 29-year-old has extended his contract until 2027 and it’s understood that he’s been rewarded with a wage increase to bring him in line with United’s top earners. Since moving to England from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes has been a revelation and comfortably United’s best signing since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Fernandes combines creative genius with incredible durability and he was handed the club captaincy last summer by Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese international dismissed speculation last season that he could seek a new challenge but he expressed his excitement after penning his new deal. He said: “I wouldn’t have signed this contract if I didn’t believe that my best moments in a United shirt are still to come”. Fernandes will be integral to Man United’s prospects next season and we’ve analysed why the attacking midfielder is so important for Ten Hag.
Bruno Fernandes: Premier League’s most used player since arrival
Despite joining Man United four-and-a-half years ago, Fernandes’ absence from the consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace and Arsenal in May were the first two games he missed through injury. The United captain had missed one previous fixture in March 2022 but that was due to illness and Fernandes’ durability is remarkable.
Since joining United, Fernandes has played more games (243) than any other Premier League player in all competitions, including goalkeepers. Fernandes is joined by three Manchester City players in the top five – Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden – with Liverpool’s Mo Salah ranking fourth. Last season, Fernandes ranked fourth for minutes by outfield players (5,399) across the top five leagues in all competitions and in internationals – only Arsenal duo Declan Rice and William Saliba, Federico Valverde and Granit Xhaka played more.