"The club made an effort for me to stay" - Bruno Fernandes reveals why he signed new deal at Manchester United
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has explained that he extended his stay at Old Trafford after the club displayed a concerted effort to keep him. The 29-year-old arrived at the club from Sporting CP in January 2020 and has been a key player since then.
In 235 games across competitions, the Portugal international has registered an impressive 79 goals and 67 assists. That includes 15 goals and 13 assists in 48 games last season, where United finished a lowly eighth in the Premier League. They also finished fourth in their UEFA Champions League group but won the FA Cup by beating holders Manchester City 2-1 in the final.
Bruno Fernandes put pen to paper on a new deal this summer, which will keep him at Old Trafford till the summer of 2027. Explaining why he signed the extension, he told the club's website in an exclusive interview (as per Utd District):
"The club made an effort for me to stay. They knew my first choice was to stay at the club. It's not only mine but also a family choice because we feel at home here."
"I said to them I don't need you to promise me that we're gonna win the league because no one can promise that. But, at least, that we will have a team to compete throughout the season to achieve silverware."
United started the 2024-25 season with a 7-6 FA Community Shield loss on penalties to City, squandering a late lead and a 3-1 advantage in the ensuing shootout.
"I expect more from this team" - Bruno Fernandes' Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag expressed his satisfaction to start the new Premier League season with a win, a record 22nd in the competition's opening-day fixtures.
Despite captain Bruno Fernandes squandering a few presentable openings, new signing Joshua Zirkzee bagged an 87th-minute winner off the bench to seal the three points.
The Manchester United boss said that he 'expects' more from his side but stressed the importance of making a winning start to the season, telling BBC Match of the Day after the win:
"To start the season with a win is always important. We are not ready as a squad, as a team - many players are not up to full fitness. We only had 10 days with this team training together.
"I expect more from this team, but we have a foundation we can build on. The performance is good. Over 90 minutes of course there is room for improvement- but I think, overall, the performance and execution of the gameplan."
Bruno Fernandes and Co. next travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (August 24) before welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford eight days later.