Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has clarified he has not agreed to leave the club and will not discuss his future until after the 2026 World Cup. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder will make his 300th appearance for the Red Devils this Saturday in the Premier League clash against Brighton.

Fernandes’ Remarkable Manchester United Career

Since joining United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for £47m, Fernandes has missed just 17 games, with only three absences due to injury or illness. His consistency and influence in midfield have been pivotal, cementing his status as one of the club’s most dependable performers over the past five years.

Despite interest from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and other European clubs, Fernandes rejected offers, emphasizing his desire to remain at United and continue pursuing team success rather than financial gain. Sources close to Fernandes told BBC Sport that he has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia next summer, though clubs outside the Premier League have expressed interest.

Contract and Release Clause

Fernandes’ contract with Manchester United runs until 2027, with the option for an additional year. It reportedly includes a clause allowing him to leave for £56.68m (€65m) to clubs outside England if triggered early, though Fernandes is focused solely on the Red Devils until the World Cup.

“I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still,” Fernandes said. “I haven’t spoken to anyone about leaving. If my agent wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”

Family and Stability

Fernandes emphasized the importance of his family’s happiness in Manchester, noting that his wife Ana and children are settled, with school and daily life in the city making the UK feel like home.

“My family feels very well here. My kids love school and how they live here. The first thing my wife asked was, ‘Have you achieved everything you wanted at the club?’ And I haven’t,” he said.

Putting Team First

Fernandes’ commitment to Manchester United goes beyond personal accolades. He is driven by team success and aims to bring trophies to the club, rather than focusing solely on individual achievements.

“I want the team achievements. My individual performance will put me in some place, but not in the place I want to be. I want to win trophies, to be recognised for the good things I did for the club, not just my numbers.”

Supporting Young Players

Fernandes also highlighted the value of competition within the squad, particularly with homegrown talent Kobbie Mainoo. Rather than seeing Mainoo as a rival, Fernandes believes their differing styles make the team stronger.

“Kobbie makes me a better player. We’re different, but we both give very good things to the team. Competition like this is healthy.”

Recruitment and Squad Building

Reflecting on recent transfer windows, Fernandes stressed the importance of signing players with big personalities who can handle the pressure at Manchester United. He praised summer signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, highlighting their willingness to take risks and make decisive contributions on the pitch.

“Being a good player is sometimes not enough here because of the attention and pressure. We need big characters, and this summer we brought in players who understand the dimensions of the club.”