Bruno Fernandes may have made mind up on Man Utd exit after INEOS U-turn | Football | Sport

Bruno Fernandes might well have already decided whether or not to push for a summer move away from Manchester United. The midfielder has been one of the Premier League‘s best performers this season, having laid on 16 assists in 28 appearances. His impressive form has helped the Red Devils rise up the table since Michael Carrick was appointed to steady the ship in January.

As things stand, he remains tied down until 2027 but there has been growing talk of a potential exit. Clubs in Saudi Arabia are believed to be keen on luring Fernandes to the Gulf state in the summer. Last year, he was the subject of a big-money bid from Al-Hilal but ended up staying at Old Trafford.

He later suggested that United’s top brass wanted him to leave but lacked the courage to go against Ruben Amorim, who wanted to keep him.

However, it was reported last month that INEOS had changed their stance, informing Fernandes that they would do everything in their power to avoid him leaving in the summer.

It seems the 31-year-old may be on the same page, telling Men In Blazers that his family feels settled in Manchester, having lived there since 2020.

“I feel at home at Manchester, my kids feel at home here,” said Fernandes. “So it’s wonderful for me to be in a place where my kids can enjoy so much and feel so much at home as they do in Manchester.

“I felt Mancunian until I heard my kids speaking English and having the accent then I understand that I’m not as much as they are.”

Even though United want to keep Fernandes, they are powerless to stop him from negotiating with foreign clubs if the right offer comes in.

That’s because he has a release clause in his contract allowing him to join a team outside England for around £57million, according to Fabrizio Romano.

However, with Fernandes feeling as settled as ever, there’s no guarantee that he would be willing to entertain any advances from elsewhere.

Speaking last month, Carrick insisted that United had no plans to cash in on the playmaker’s signature despite the rumours surrounding his future.

“In terms of the club and moving forward, it’s difficult for me to get involved in too much of that,” said the interim head coach.

“Bruno’s definitely not someone we’d want to lose, I can say that. He’s important for us and he’s definitely one we wouldn’t want to lose.

“Bruno has done it for a long period of time now, in the big moments and making the difference, whether scoring or creating he’s normally around it. He has a really good understanding with Case [Casemiro] and working with Jonny [Evans] on the set plays.

“There’s also the bit you can coach and then there’s a little bit of the players and the understanding. They’ve got a great connection there with that.

“Then the passing around it, getting in positions where you can play that final pass, so there’s not a lot else to say that I’ve not sat here and said before about Bruno.”

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