REUTERS/Craig Brough
Manchester United have a decision to make on the future of captain Bruno Fernandes in the coming weeks and months.
At the end of last season, it would have been a no-brainer for Man United to hand the Portugal international a new contract after a stunning season in which he recorded the most assists in a single Premier League season.
The 32-year-old has looked a completely different player this term though, and as well as being unable to replicate that form, he also made the disappointing decision to speak out publicly against manager Michael Carrick's tactics following the 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
Carrick dropped Fernandes to the substitutes' bench for the following game against Bournemouth in the league, which they lost 3-0, failing to bring him on even when they needed a goal.
Fernandes came back into the starting XI for the games against Chelsea and AS Roma, scoring a penalty at the second attempt against the Serie A outfit as the Red Devils came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and send Old Trafford into raptures.
It was only the third game of the season that Fernandes had made an attacking contribution, with a goal and an assist, with his only other goals and assists coming in the club's other two victories against Ipswich Town and Sabah.
Who got more assists?
Round 1 of 9
The facts from this season are that when Fernandes isn't on it, neither are United, and it has left club chiefs with a decision to make.
It seems likely they will exercise the option to extend his contract by 12 months whatever happens, in order to protect his value, but giving him a longer-term deal is more of a conundrum.
According to TEAMtalk, they are already considering potential replacements for their skipper, with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White one player they are said to hold an interest in.
Gibbs-White Similar to Bruno Fernandes in Many Ways
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
United are going to find it difficult to find someone who has been as influential as Fernandes has been for them when the time comes for him to leave the club, but Gibbs-White could be an interesting option.
TEAMtalk report that the Red Devils have already made enquiries as they assess the situation of the Forest star, and consider their long-term midfield and attacking options.
Unsurprisingly, the performances and attributes of the England international have caught their eye, especially after a stunning 2025-26 campaign for the Reds.
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Gibbs-White's record (Premier League 2025-26)
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Gibbs-White gives off Fernandes vibes in a number of ways, not least the fact that he is Forest captain and is highly influential to their attacking play.
Because he is six years Fernandes' junior, he also has the ability to cover more ground in the middle of the park more consistently, and his goal record is particularly impressive.
Based on last season, United would probably want more assists from Gibbs-White if he was to genuinely become the Portugal international's replacement at Old Trafford, but that could come.
A Stacked Bar Chart Depicting Gibbs-White vs Fernandes 202526 PL Including Gibbs-White and Fernandes
The issue the Red Devils may have is how they prise the 26-year-old away from the City Ground, given the player was on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2025, before Evangelos Marinakis personally intervened and convinced his captain to stay with a bumper £150,000-a-week contract.
Spurs are also still interested in Gibbs-White, ahead of a potential 2027 battle for his services.
What is clear is that whoever lands him in the future, they will be getting a player who looks ready to make a big impact at the biggest Premier League clubs.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick smiling
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick smiling
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