Bruno Fernandes rejects Manchester United contract extension offer

Bruno Fernandes has turned down a new contract proposal from Manchester United, the club said in a report dated 18 August 2026, with the decision coming days before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

Manchester United’s offer would have increased Fernandes’ pay by only €500,000 per year, an uplift the Portuguese midfielder deemed insufficient and therefore declined. It is understood Fernandes would prefer to remain at the club; his current contract has one year remaining with an option for an additional season. A previously included £57 million release clause has already expired.

Fernandes set a Premier League record last season with 21 assists. He is also the favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year for 2025-26 in Manchester next week. The reports describe him as one of Manchester United’s standout performers.

Turkish side Galatasaray have shown interest and have offered Fernandes a lucrative contract, according to the report, but the midfielder has no desire to leave Manchester United. The article also notes that Fernandes is the club captain and is popular with supporters.

United officials are said to want to keep Fernandes for several more years and are likely to return with a revised proposal. The decision on the contract comes after a pre-season loss to Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan, a result manager Michael Carrick will be seeking to improve on.

As things stand, Fernandes could leave Manchester United as a free agent next summer if no agreement is reached. The club are expected to make another offer, with United due to begin their 2026-27 campaign against newly promoted Hull City in days.