Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United captain plays down departure speculation - 'I don’t want to leave'

Bruno Fernandes has played down speculation that he will leave Manchester United after a disappointing season for the club.

The 29-year-old has been a consistent performer for United this campaign, but could not inspire his team to any higher than an eighth-place Premier League finish.

United will miss out on European football completely next season if they do not win Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Fernandes has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford after reportedly growing frustrated at the club, but the Portugal international has suggested otherwise in an article for The Players’ Tribune.

“After this difficult season, it is my responsibility to give more,” Fernandes said. “It starts with me. And it starts tomorrow. We have to give everything in this last match against City, and we have to move forward.

“I love to step out at Old Trafford more than anything in the world. I don’t want to leave. This has always been my ultimate dream.”

Fernandes continued: “I just want my expectations to fit with the expectations of the club. If you go talk to any fan, they will tell you the same thing. We want to compete for the league. We want to be playing Champions League football. We want to be in cup finals.

“That is the standard. That is what I want. That is what you all deserve. I just want to keep fighting. I want to be here. My family wants to be here.”

Fernandes did admit he felt frustrated at points during the campaign, but pledged to ensure his team were better next season.

“As captain, I have simply tried to be Bruno,” he said. “Not another legend, or another personality, but myself. Same Bruno on and off the pitch. And for me, honesty is everything. You fans deserve honesty, with the way you have supported us.

“Frustration. Isn’t that what we all feel? That’s really the only word for this season, I think. If you ask me, or if you ask any United fan, it would be the same.

“There were so many moments when we won a massive game, and it felt like 'OK, now we are going to build from this…' and it just never happened. It never fully clicked for us.

“We were not consistent enough, and we have to be better. For each other, for the club, for our fans.”

Fernandes moved to United from Sporting CP in 2020 and was named club captain at the start of the 2023-2024 season.

He has won the League Cup with United, as well as finishing as a Europa League and FA Cup runner-up.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.