Man Utd stars fearful of Bruno Fernandes exit

Cameron Smith

• 12 Jan 2026 08:01 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

Several Manchester United players reportedly believe that club captain Bruno Fernandes will leave Old Trafford following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

The Portugal international has 18 months remaining on his current contract with the Red Devils, and it has been reported that his deal includes a €65 million release clause that can be triggered this summer.

Fernandes has been heavily linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League over the past year and although he is reportedly eager to remain in Europe, a Man Utd departure appears to be on the cards in 2026.

In fact, his current team-mates are fearful that he will leave Old Trafford following this summer’s World Cup.

That is according to a report from The Sun, who claim that some players believe Fernandes has “had enough” of the Man Utd turmoil and will look to secure an exit later this year following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

Fernandes has racked up a whopping 198 goal contributions in 310 games for Man Utd since his arrival at the club in January 2020, but a departure could take place later this year, with Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer viewed as a dream replacement by the Red Devils hierarchy, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers.

What has Bruno Fernandes said?

Speaking to Canal 11 (via Portuguese outlet MaisFutebol). in a bombshell interview back in December, Fernandes admitted that Man Utd wanted him to leave during the 2025 summer transfer window.

“Until you win trophies, you're not valued as much, regardless of the club and league you're in. I was valued, and what values ​​me most has to be my club, although lately I feel like I'm on thin ice.

“In England, when a player starts approaching 30, they start thinking they need a makeover. It's like the furniture.

“The issue of loyalty isn’t viewed the same way it used to be. I could have left in the last transfer window, I would have earned much more money, I was going to leave a season ago - I won’t say where - but I would have won many trophies that season.

“I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely love the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’

“It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticise. I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then, you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much… that makes you sad.”

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