Bruno Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United this season as their captain. He has recently been named the Premier League Player of the Month for March 2026, highlighting his importance to the team.
During March, he scored two goals and provided four assists, contributing to six of United’s eight goals. This season, he has scored eight goals and recorded 17 assists in 30 games, leading to speculation about offers for him this summer.
According to CaughtOffside, “massive offers” are likely, leading to mixed feelings within the club about how to respond. Some at United feel it might be the right time to sell Fernandes while he is at peak value, especially with two years remaining on his contract.
Last summer, United and Fernandes were surprised by a £100 million offer from Al-Hilal, along with a £200 million wage proposal over four years. He ultimately rejected it, but it remains to be seen what will happen this summer.
Manchester United’s midfield plans
This summer is crucial for revamping Manchester United’s midfield. Casemiro is leaving, and Manuel Ugarte is likely to be sold after not securing a strong position in the team.
As a result, United plans to sign two new midfielders, potentially without needing to replace Fernandes, who has been central to the squad. Last season, his contributions helped the team avoid relegation, finishing in 15th place. He broke the record for most assists in a Premier League season this year.
New players like Matheus Cunha are already making an impact, and Bryan Mbeumo has shown strong form. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a reliable scorer, and Casemiro has chipped in with seven goals. This spread of contributions means Fernandes is less heavily relied upon, although he remains crucial.
Is now the right time to sell Bruno Fernandes?
Nevertheless, Fernandes’s age is a factor. At 31, turning 32 in September, he is still performing well. With the rapid decline of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, United would be cautious about missing a chance to sell him, given they’ve considered it before.
In November 2025, Fernandes mentioned that the club wanted to agree to the Al-Hilal offer but did not proceed. His contract has a release clause for non-UK clubs set at £57 million (€65 million), allowing them to bypass negotiations with United, which complicates his potential sale.
With targets like Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson priced between £70 million and £100 million, Fernandes’s release clause may not cover the cost of his replacement.
Bruno Fernandes’ conditions to remain at United
Should he leave, Fernandes’s agreement is vital. He has stated he will stay on two conditions: qualification for the Champions League and clarity regarding United’s next permanent manager.
Michael Carrick took over as the interim manager in January 2026, and with United performing well, there are calls for him to stay on. However, the club is yet to commit to him.
As neither condition is currently met, Fernandes will have his answers by the end of the season. When they arrive, United might face a challenging decision: sell their captain for a significant profit or retain him in hopes he avoids a decline.