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Manchester United were “panicked” into offering Bruno Fernandes a bumper new deal after fears the club’s captain would look to depart Old Trafford this summer.
Mark Ogden (ESPN) reveals sources at United have confirmed Fernandes was “prepared to leave” in the summer transfer window after “growing tired of the club’s repeated failure to deliver”.
Bayern Munich were the most prominent suitor for the 30-year-old midfielder with a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealing the Bundesliga side had “initiated talks” over a move.
Similarly, Spanish heavyweight Barcelona were also believed to be interested in Fernandes while there were continuous links with the Saudi Pro League, though there was never any suggestion the Portuguese international would consider that avenue at this stage of his career.
Prior to the extension, Fernandes’ contract at United ran until 2026, though there was an additional twelve month extension clause, essentially tying the 30-year-old to Old Trafford until 2027. His wage packet was believed to be around £240,000-a-week.
The club captain’s new deal also ran until 2027 but, again, contained a one-year extension clause. It also included a significant pay rise to put Fernandes amongst the “club’s top earners” – indicating his new wage was in excess of £300,000-a-week.
Fernandes’ importance at Old Trafford is undoubted.
In a dressing room which many managers have tried, and failed, to impose higher standards of application and attitude, the 30-year-old is a consummate professional, both on and off the pitch. He is one of the only players to emerge from last season’s abysmal campaign with his head held high, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists, as well as a fantastic performance in the FA Cup victory over Manchester City.
There is a reason Erik ten Hag was keen to replace Harry Maguire with Fernandes as the club captain – he is widely seen as an integral star and an important leader at Old Trafford. It makes sense, therefore, why the club would have been apprehensive over the prospect of losing him.
And, equally, it makes sense why Fernandes’ representatives would then have been able to utilise this fear to drive a hard bargain over a new contract, ensuring the midfielder did not leave.
Ogden relays the words of a source, who reveals how United “panicked and gave [Fernandes] a massive new deal” at a time when the club were implementing wide-ranging cost-cutting measures. The manner in which Fernandes has begun the new campaign does not inspire confidence in this decision either.
However, there has been a culture allowed to fester in Old Trafford dressing over the past decade in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson malaise that has brought the club to its knees. Fernandes, for all his inconsistencies on the pitch, represents the antithesis of this off it; and, sometimes, that alone is worth paying to keep around, as the vacuum created by its absence is not worth considering.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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