Man United have perfect chance to seal their most important signing of summer transfer window

Manchester United could agree their most important deal of the summer after reportedly opening talks with a player

Manchester United could make their biggest statement signing of the transfer window by tying Bruno Fernandes to a new deal. The club captain is unquestionably his side's star man, and extending his stay at the club would emphasise United’s ambitious plans for the near future.

Fernandes has been pivotal for the Reds since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020. The 31-year-old broke the Premier League season assist record last term, though his influence on Michael Carrick’s team extends far beyond goal contributions.

The Portuguese midfielder arguably carried United through some of their more challenging campaigns, yet his commitment to staying at Old Trafford has never wavered. He turned down an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last year but later confessed that at the time, he felt the club were happy for him to leave.

"I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club," he told Maisfutebol. "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 lot.

"More than hurting, it makes me sad because I'm a player they have nothing to criticise about. I'm always available, and 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."

A year on, United’s stance could not be more different. Club sources have insisted to the Manchester Evening News that Fernandes is not available at any price following interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Athletic has since reported that United are in talks over extending the attacking midfielder’s contract, which is currently due to run until 2027 with an option for another year.

And those contract talks will prove pivotal to United going forward. The club's transfer window so far has been defined by a midfield rebuild, with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arriving to revamp a key area of Carrick’s side, but the importance of continuity can easily be overlooked during the summer months.

The Reds would not have propelled themselves back into the Champions League places last term without Fernandes’ 21 assists, plus his nine goals. Coming off what was arguably the most impressive season of his career to date, the United captain is set to be crucial once more as United look to achieve their next set of objectives and push on from last season.

The task of improving on a third-placed finish and leading Carrick‘s side in the Champions League is also more aligned with Fernandes’ aspirations. Earlier this summer, he spoke about his dream of leading the club back to the Premier League title.

In an interview with The Times in April, the Portugal international said: "The expectation will always be we [United] want to win the Premier League. I know people will think, 'you go to get more money, better contracts.' No, you come to Man United because you want to win trophies.

"Money, you can get anywhere. A lot of clubs in the Premier League pay well, a lot of clubs in Italy, Spain, pay you a lot. You come to this club because of the history, because of what you think you can achieve.

"[Whether] you end up achieving or not, that's a question of you being better than the other teams. But what I always say to the club is you can't promise me I'm going to win the Premier League, that's impossible, but if you promise we're going to be competitive – that's all I need to know.

"Then it's on me to become the best version of myself, to help everyone around to become the best version of themselves, to then become the club we want to be."

Those words speak volumes about what Fernandes brings to this United side, both on and off the pitch. Moreover, Fernandes penning a deal and committing his future to the club would send a clear signal to United’s prospective transfer targets, both in this window and beyond – namely, that the club has ambition.

Fernandes is intent on restoring the club to their former glory. Underlining that with a contract extension would be more valuable than any new signing.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the World Cup in June, he said: "Playing for Manchester United is always a special moment for everyone. At the same time, it brings a lot of responsibility with it. But I don't think anyone comes to Manchester United thinking that we won't have the responsibility to win again, to be at the top of Premier League, at the top of European football.

"Because the club's history brings that responsibility. Regardless of the most recent years they were not at the level that the club was used to. I think everyone always believes that we can be the ones who are going to do this, the ones who are going to turn the page, the ones who are going to make it possible for United to fight on all fronts.

"And I think that has to be special for us players, to realise that we can be the main, let's say, protagonists of this change of history for United to win again."

In his 327 games for United, Fernandes has notched up 107 goals and 108 assists. However, it is his mentality and drive to see the team succeed that would make agreeing on a new contract priceless for United, and shows why the club simply must keep hold of him for the long-term future.

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