There are big question marks hanging over Bruno Fernandes's long-term future at Manchester United following the sacking of Ruben Amorim
Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes gestures during the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 11, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes gestures during the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 11, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
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Bruno Fernandes is believed to be unsettled(Image: PETER POWELL, AFP via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes' reasons for quitting a previous club should raise alarm bells about his future at Manchester United. There are reportedly fears around Old Trafford club that the captain has had enough of the continued turmoil and will push for a move.
Fernandes was close to the recently sacked Ruben Amorim, who has been replaced by Michael Carrick for the rest of the season before a new permanent boss is appointed in the summer. The 31-year-old will not be going anywhere this month but the rest of the season could be crucial to his future.
If United continue to struggle, it could push him closer to the exit door. Only last summer, he considered switching to the Saudi Pro League before Amorim persuaded him to stay.
Fernandes was in a similar situation at Udinese earlier in his career, deciding to move on for two clear reasons: The team's underperformance and the departure of a manager he had a strong bond with.
The playmaker moved to Italy aged 17 and spent five years in the country, initially joining Novara before moving Udinese in 2013.
After an impressive first season in Udin, head coach Francesco Guidolin stepped away from his role to become technical supervisor for the club's chairman Giampaolo Pozzo, who also owns Watford. Guidolin later had a brief spell in charge of Swansea City, then in the Premier League.
Guidolin's departure played a part in Fernandes leaving for Sampdoria on loan in 2016 before his permanent move to Sporting CP the following year.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes was close to Ruben Amorim(Image: Getty Images)
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In a stark parallel to his time at United, Fernandes recalled Udinese having quality players but not being able to produce what was expected of them.
He said once told Cronache di Spogliatoio: "The three years I spent at Udinese were not easy in terms of the team because we didn't have great campaigns, except for the first one, where we had a great squad. We had a strong team, but we weren't able to achieve what was expected of us.
Bruno Fernandes during his three years at Udinese
Fernandes during his three years at Udinese(Image: Getty)
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"Then in the second and third year they decided to change manager after so long with Guidolin, and it didn’t go very well. Guidolin had managed to get the most of my abilities and made me understand that I had to train more, but he had faith in me."
United fans will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself. Fernandes has 18 months left on his United deal with the option of a further 12 months, meaning this summer could be crunch time for his future at the club. Bayern Munich are reportedly among the clubs monitoring the situation.
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