Manchester United increasingly cannot do without Bruno Fernandes! Renewal may require £400k weekly salary, or he could leave for free at contract end.

During Manchester United's 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, captain Bruno Fernandes once again emerged as the key player. Without his contribution of one goal and one assist, the Red Devils might have found it difficult to win. The penalty he took was won by Matheus Cunha, but the pass that created that clear chance came from Fernandes himself.

Not long ago, quite a few Manchester United supporters were hoping the club would sell Bruno Fernandes, making their current stance somewhat awkward. However, there's no real need for embarrassment, as the club itself did consider selling the Portuguese stalwart, and Fernandes has publicly discussed the possibility of leaving.

Last summer, Fernandes' agent was in contact with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who were prepared to offer £100 million for his transfer and a tax-free weekly wage of £700,000. Manchester United were willing to accept, but then-manager Rúben Amorim persuaded Fernandes to stay.

After this season ends, similar offers are unlikely to materialize because Fernandes' release clause will become active, allowing foreign clubs to sign him for just €65 million, bypassing United's negotiation. The main deciding factor then will be whether Fernandes himself wishes to leave. Reports suggest he will base his decision on United's prospects for next season and the managerial situation.

According to talkSPORT, Bruno Fernandes plans to sit down with Manchester United this summer to discuss his future, but sources close to the club indicate he has shown almost no desire to depart. Negotiations are expected at the season's end, with signs increasingly pointing towards a mutual agreement to continue their partnership. Insiders reveal that, like teammates Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, Fernandes is now viewed as a crucial figure for the club, especially in the short to medium term.

Manchester United can only regain control over Fernandes' future by offering him a new contract. However, the Daily Mirror reports that any new deal would likely require a weekly salary of £400,000. Currently, no player at United is more indispensable than Fernandes, giving him strong leverage to demand top wages, especially as his next contract could be the last major one of his playing career.

Following the departure of Casemiro, who was on £350,000 per week, United's wage bill could technically accommodate such a salary. However, offering a new lucrative long-term deal to a veteran who turns 32 in September carries significant risk. Liverpool serves as a recent example, having extended contracts with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk last year, only to see both players' performances dip below their usual standards this season.

If United choose to retain Fernandes for another year, his transfer value by 2027 would likely diminish significantly, making it hard to attract a substantial fee. Even if the club triggers a one-year extension option, they would likely only see him leave on a free transfer in 2028, similar to Casemiro's situation this summer.

If Bruno Fernandes leaves United this summer, his likely destinations are limited. The first is Saudi Arabia, where Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are reportedly still interested. Fernandes himself admitted last year he considered a move to the Middle East: "If one day I have to go to Saudi Arabia, I will go. My lifestyle would change, my children could enjoy constant sunshine instead of Manchester's six years of cold and rain. I'd play in a growing league alongside famous players. The wages would be high, with nothing to complain about."

Bayern Munich have been repeatedly linked with interest in Fernandes recently. They could offer him the chance to compete for top honors in a major league and are perennial Champions League contenders. Bayern have increased their spending in recent years, paying around £100 million for then-30-year-old Harry Kane from Tottenham three years ago. However, paying a high fee for a 32-year-old Fernandes seems less probable.

Fernandes has also mentioned other potential destinations if he leaves United: "As long as I feel needed, I want to stay at Manchester United. But I'd like to experience La Liga and compete for major trophies in Serie A. I have strong ties to Italy... my daughter was born there. Eventually, I'd likely return to Portugal, with Sporting CP as my first choice."

The Manchester Evening News predicts United's ultimate summer decision might be to keep Fernandes until his contract expires in two years, allowing him to leave on a free transfer. This could be the most sensible option, enabling United to maximize his remaining peak years. By the summer of 2028, Fernandes will be 33, but the lack of a transfer fee could still allow him to negotiate a lucrative contract elsewhere.

On the other hand, United would avoid increasing his wages and gain more time to find a successor. The club would miss out on a significant transfer fee, but such a sacrifice might be worthwhile.

Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in 2020 for a total of £67.6 million. If he leaves in 2028, having served for eight and a half years, the club's annual cost (excluding wages) would be around £8 million—an absolute bargain.