Bruno Fernandes DEMANDS that Man United’s board do this to keep him at Old Trafford: "That’s something we haven’t done"

Bruno Fernandes has once again made his future at Manchester United a topic of discussion after openly outlining what he needs from the club to remain committed. With just one year left on his contract, the Portuguese captain did not explicitly confirm whether he will stay or leave, but his remarks made one thing clear: his priority is competitiveness.

Since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, Fernandes has quickly established himself as a central figure in Manchester United’s system. This season, he has continued to lead by example, contributing eight goals and 16 assists, playing a key role in the club’s push for Champions League qualification.

However, despite his impressive individual performances, Manchester United’s collective achievements in recent years have fallen short of expectations. After more than six years at the club, Fernandes has only lifted two trophies—a modest return for a club of United’s stature.

This reality appears to have shaped the 31-year-old midfielder’s thinking about his future. Last summer, he came close to leaving Old Trafford after receiving a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, reportedly worth around £1 million per week in wages along with a £100 million transfer fee. Despite the financial appeal, Fernandes chose to stay.

Now, as questions about his future resurface, he has delivered a clear message about what he wants.

“I told the club that I want to compete,” Fernandes said. “Everyone who comes to Manchester United wants to win every trophy. No one comes here thinking we’re going to fight for one or two trophies in six years.”

He emphasized that his ambition goes beyond simply participating—it is about competing at the highest level: “You want to fight for all of them. And every time I’ve spoken with the club, what I want is to compete. Because if I compete, I’ll be close to winning. If I don’t compete, there’s no chance.”

Fernandes also admitted that Manchester United’s failure to win the Premier League since 2013 is “not normal” and that it has been far too long. According to him, the club’s history is what attracts players in the first place, along with the expectation of winning trophies.

At the same time, he took a realistic stance on what the club can promise. “The club can’t promise me that I’m going to win the Premier League. That’s impossible,” he said. “But if they promise me that we’re going to be competitive and be there at the decisive moments, that’s all I need to know.”

For Fernandes, once that competitive foundation is in place, the responsibility shifts to the players: “Then it’s on me to become the best version of myself, to help everyone around me become the best version of themselves, and to make the club what we want it to be.”

Beyond his own future, another key issue he addressed was the managerial situation. Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January, Michael Carrick has taken interim charge and delivered encouraging results, winning seven of his first ten matches.

This run of form has sparked calls for Carrick to be given the job on a permanent basis. However, Fernandes remained cautious in his assessment of the current situation.

Bruno after losing the Europa League final.

“If we finish the season the way we want, it will look very good, but it’s still not the picture we are aiming for,” he said. “What matters is what we’re going to do next season to be this team for a full campaign.”

He also highlighted the difference between short-term form and long-term consistency: “Anyone can be good in spells. Being good over a whole season is much more difficult. And that’s something we haven’t done, at least since I’ve been here.”

At present, Manchester United sit third in the Premier League, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. With the top five securing Champions League qualification next season, the club remains in a strong position.

However, for Fernandes, league position alone is not the ultimate goal. What he truly seeks is a Manchester United capable of genuinely competing for major trophies, in line with the club’s historical stature.

His comments go beyond personal reflection—they serve as a clear message to the club’s hierarchy: if they want to keep him, they must demonstrate real ambition and the ability to compete at the highest level.

Beyond his public statements, there has also been growing speculation that Bruno Fernandes could be more open to extending his stay at Manchester United if Michael Carrick is appointed as the club’s permanent manager. The Portuguese captain has repeatedly spoken highly of Carrick’s influence, praising not only his tactical ideas but also his understanding of the club’s identity.

“Michael has won every trophy with this club and understands what winning means to the fans and to Manchester United. He knows what it takes to win here, and that brings special value to the team,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. He added: “Michael comes with the right ideas and gives responsibility to the players. He is very good in the way he communicates.” Reflecting on Carrick’s journey, Fernandes continued: “I think he still remembers what I said when he managed the team in that last game before. I always believed Michael could become a great manager, and he is proving that now.”

With his future still uncertain, Fernandes appears to have set a clear standard. And for a player driven by the desire to win, the final decision will ultimately depend on whether Manchester United can meet it.