After Bruno Fernandes and his agent turned down a new contract deal last October, Manchester United has temporarily halted contract talks with him.
The performance of the Portuguese international was one of the few bright spots in the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa. United’s 2-0 advantage at halftime was squandered after the Villians scored twice.
Contract talks began last season but then halted in the summer, according to The Athletic. In May, negotiations are expected to resume.
Fernandes and his representatives want to know what is United’s plans are in terms of which competitions they will compete in next season. The team is currently in seventh place in the Premier League, with a place in the Champions League proving increasingly unlikely as the teams above them perform well.
According to reports, contract talks began after the player’s outstanding performance last season, with United hoping to reward him with a new contract.
Prior to joining United, the 27-year-old was earning £50,000 per week, which he doubled once he joined the club. Despite the increase, the earnings are still significantly lower than those of several of the team’s players.
Cristiano Ronaldo is United’s highest-paid player, earning £400,000 per week, with David De Gea just £345,000 per week behind him. Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani, and Marcus Rashford all earn £200,000 each week, with some even earning more.
Defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw get somewhat less money, but it’s still a lot more than Fernandes’ current contract.
Given his importance to the squad in recent seasons, the midfielder will be asking for a deal similar to the figures of such players. The midfielder has been personally involved in 55 goals in the Premier League, scoring 33 and assisting 22.
His current contract expires in 2025, but the club has the option to extend it for another year, so fans shouldn’t be concerned for a few more years.
