Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move away from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
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Fernandes assisted Amad's goal against Aston Villa.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Bruno Fernandes might have dropped a hint on his Manchester United future by gifting a penalty to Christian Eriksen on Sunday.
Fernandes is the designated penalty taker at United, but he decided to hand the ball to Eriksen when United were awarded a late spot-kick against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United had a 1-0 advantage with three minutes remaining when the penalty was won, and Eriksen was given the spot-kick to allow him the opportunity to end his final United appearance at Old Trafford in style.
The 33-year-old calmly converted to wrap up the victory and thanked Fernandes for the gesture.
Asked by TNT Sports immediately after the full-time whistle if that was his last act in a United shirt, Eriksen said: "Yes, that is correct. I think that is also why Bruno gave me a penalty as a nice farewell."
Eriksen added: "On the pitch, Bruno was asking if I was going to take the penalty. I said no and that I'll give it to Jonny [Evans]. But Jonny didn't want to take it. It was a nice gesture. Bruno is the number one and he decides. And luckily he gave it to me today. It was a good way to see it off."
Fernandes looked crestfallen as he collected his runners-up medal after the Europa League final, and he spoke honestly about his future to journalists in the mixed zone after the game.
The midfielder suggested he could leave United this summer if they wanted to cash in, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that no player is deemed 'untouchable' this summer, but handing the penalty to a teammate against Aston Villa suggests he is confident Sunday's win wasn't his final United appearance.
After full-time, Fernandes led the lap of honour at Old Trafford and was joined by his family.
Fernandes has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. United sources recently insisted they had no plans to sell Fernandes, but a huge offer from Al-Hilal might be difficult to turn down.
"I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go," said Fernandes after the Europa League final.
"I'm eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days. In the day that the club thinks that I'm too much or it's time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I've always said it and I keep my word in the same way.
"If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it's what it is, and football sometimes is like this."
Fernandes is under contract at United until 2027, with the club holding the option of an additional year.
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