‘Not saying no’ – Bruno Fernandes transfer hint as midfielder discusses ‘distant future’ beyond Man Utd spell

The Portugal international midfielder has been a revelation at Old Trafford since completing a move from Sporting in January 2020. The enigmatic playmaker has registered 64 goals and 54 assists for the Red Devils through 187 games.

Fernandes has inherited United’s captain’s armband on a permanent basis this season and remains tied to a contract through to 2026. He has no intention of breaking that deal, but the 28-year-old is a big fan of South American football and could seeing himself heading down that path at some stage.

Fernandes has told ESPN Brasil when quizzed on his long-term future plans: “Whenever I can, I follow it, because I find Brazilian football attractive, electric football, with a lot of quality, joy, very one-on-one. It’s pure football. And I think that now, with the coaches that are there, not only the Portuguese, but also Brazilians, are increasingly developing in the tactical part. I don’t really like talking about the distant future, but it’s like I said. It’s attractive football, very interesting. The only thing is that the trips are very long there in Brazil. There are many competitions, many clubs that play Libertadores and Sudamericana, very good competitions. I’m not saying no, because Brazilian football is very attractive, and we never know the future.”

Fernandes needs to ensure that he remains a talismanic presence for United in 2023-24, with Erik ten Hag’s side stumbling out of the blocks again at the start of a new season as they seek to find an attacking spark.