Manchester United reportedly handed Bruno Fernandes a 'massive new contract' over the summer after 'panicking' that he was going to leave Old Trafford in search of pastures new.
Fernandes' future was the subject of much speculation during the recent transfer market, but it was announced in the middle of August that he had signed a new contract until June 2027, with the option of a further 12 months.
According to ESPN, the Portugal international was prepared to leave Old Trafford over the summer 'after growing tired of the club's repeated failure to deliver'.
However, Man United 'panicked' and handed the Red Devils captain a new deal, and it is understood that he is now on around £300,000 a week at Old Trafford, up from his previous £220,000-a-week salary.
Fernandes has found it difficult to show his best form in the early stages of the campaign, but he has managed to contribute five assists in 12 appearances, including one in Man United's 2-1 success over Brentford on Saturday.
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Man United 'panicked' after learning of Fernandes' willingness to leave
Towards the end of last season, Fernandes insisted that he would be staying with Man United over the summer providing that the club wanted to keep him.
"I will be here," Fernandes told Sky Sports News. 'The club needs to want me and the club wants me to be a part of the future so as I said always – I don't want to be a player the club doesn't want to have. If for some reason they don't want me I will go."
Fernandes has proven to be one of Man United's best signings in recent history, scoring 79 goals and registering 71 assists in 245 appearances for the club in all competitions since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
The attacker has managed 54 goals and 42 assists in 167 Premier League appearances, while he also has an impressive total of six goals and 10 assists in 19 outings in the Champions League for the Red Devils.
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Which Man United players are out of contract in June 2025?
Man United have decisions to make over the futures of six players, with Amad Diallo, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton only having deals until the end of the campaign.
Amad is expected to be handed a new long-term deal to reflect his importance to the squad, but Maguire, Lindelof, Eriksen, Evans and Heaton could all move on next summer.
Man United may decide to activate a 12-month extension in Maguire's contract with a view to potentially selling him next summer, but Lindelof, Eriksen, Evans and Heaton may depart on free transfers.
Evans, 36, and Heaton, 38, could allegedly be offered staff roles at Old Trafford, although further one-year contracts for the popular duo, who are important members of the dressing room, have not been ruled out at this stage of proceedings.
Matt Law
