Bruno Fernandes’ former teammate Jose Fonte has urged him to retire at Manchester United. The Portuguese playmaker’s long-term future is a major talking point.
Fonte, who won the 2016 European Championship with Portugal, told talkSPORT, “He’s thriving again. Why not stay until the rest of your career? Because it’s one of the best clubs in the world.”
While Fonte and Fernandes never played together at club level, the pair featured in 17 matches for Portugal, including starting the inaugural 2019 Nations League final, which they won courtesy of a 60th-minute goal from Goncalo Guedes.
Fonte on Fernandes’ future
Fonte responded when asked what he would do in Fernandes’ position: “Me, I would stay 100 per cent… I think the club looks like it’s on a good trajectory now under Michael Carrick.”
He added:
“The club, as we all know, is a massive club… Bruno is becoming, or if not already, he’s a legend at Man United. I think he loves the city, loves the club.”
The Portuguese midfielder has been at Old Trafford since arriving in January six years ago. Since then, he has played in over 300 games for the club, scoring over 100 goals and 100 assists.
Fernandes is an FA Cup and League Cup winner, whilst winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four separate occasions. He is hoping to captain the Reds to Champions League qualification for the remainder of this season.
The discourse around Fernandes not being a legend at the club is simply egregious. But there are question marks over him retiring at United.
Has this been Bruno’s best season?
Turning 32 years old in September, Fernandes, who Jack Grealish hailed as “unbelievable”, has passed his supposed peak as a player. Until a few weeks ago, that seemed true, with his standout campaign coming in 2020/21.
With 28 goals and 17 assists across all competitions, Fernandes spearheaded United’s charge to second in the league. But he may just outdo himself this campaign.
Looking at his Premier League numbers, in the 2020/21 season, he played 37 games, scored 18 goals, and provided 11 assists. This season, however, Fernandes has played just 27 games—with eight to go—scoring seven times and providing 16 assists.
If he maintains this rate over the remaining fixtures, he would finish with nine goals and 20 assists. This matches his total goal contributions from the 2020/21 season.
Not to mention, those 20 assists would see him level with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry for the most in a single Premier League season. A record that has seen the very best, including Mohamed Salah, try to break year in year out.
Crossroads for Fernandes
Fernandes reportedly turned down a reported £700,000-per-week offer from Al Hilal to stay at Old Trafford, per The Athletic.
Despite his rejection of the Saudi Arabian side, the midfielder is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract with United. His current deal runs to summer 2027, with the club able to trigger a one-year extension.
Talks over Fernandes’ future are set to heat up as United look to lock down their key playmaker. But with his age rising, there is a possibility that the midfielder moves to the Middle East for a lucrative payday before retirement.
Fernandes could retire at United, though unlikely. But regardless of what the ‘Portuguese magnifico’ decides, he has already left an indelible mark on the club.
