United hold an option to extend Bruno Fernandes's deal by 12 months, which would override a January free-transfer window if triggered.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly rejected a second contract offer from the club, according to The Athletic, as Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham boss, is expected to be announced as the new head coach.
Talks have been under way since the summer, when United made a first proposal that Fernandes turned down, Sky Sports reports. The Athletic says no compromise has been reached yet, and that United have since followed up with improved terms that the 32-year-old is not yet satisfied with.
The Athletic's report says: "Salary and length of contract are aspects being discussed for the 32-year-old, whose current deal expires in June 2027."
Fernandes has been captain since the summer of 2023, the Mirror says, and arrived from Sporting Lisbon for £47million in January 2020. The Athletic's report adds: "As things stand, he can talk to foreign clubs about a potential free transfer from January." United have the option of a further 12 months, and triggering it would overrule that freedom. The club want him to stay, the Mirror says.
The news broke on Thursday, the day United sacked Michael Carrick. The Mirror reports that club chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox met minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday, and that the sacking followed the next morning. United are now pushing ahead with a deal to hire Pochettino from US Soccer. The Mirror reports he has already agreed personal terms, and that United will pay his £7.4million release clause.
United sit 18th in the Premier League after winning one of their opening 10 league matches, the club's worst start to a season in 40 years, according to the Manchester Evening News. The Mirror says Fernandes's recent public criticism of the club saw him dropped by Carrick. After the defeat by Como last month, Fernandes said: "Everyone at the club must understand that it's no longer the same."
Al Hilal were interested in Fernandes last season, Sky Sports reports, and Galatasaray have also plotted a move, according to the Manchester Evening News. The same paper says he had a release clause of around £54m accessible to foreign clubs a matter of months ago, and that it has since expired.
Fernandes said in May, when asked about his decision to stay:
"I think that being successful at this club is something that I can never get at another club. The joy and everything I get, the day I get what I want from this club, I don't think I will get that from any other club in the world."
Talks are expected to continue.
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