Manchester United confirm Bruno Fernandes not for sale amid Galatasaray interest

Manchester United have formally confirmed that captain Bruno Fernandes is not for sale at any price, directly countering reports that Turkish club Galatasaray are preparing a bid for the 31-year-old. The club has moved to dispel previous ambiguity regarding the midfielder’s status, stating he is viewed as crucial to manager Michael Carrick’s future plans.

Fernandes, who broke the Premier League assist record and was named Player of the Year last season, is in the final year of his current contract with an option for a further extension. The £57m release clause for foreign clubs contained within his agreement has now expired, removing a potential lever for external suitors.

The clarification comes after Fernandes revealed in December that he was "hurt" by the club’s stance last summer, when he was told he was free to accept a £100m offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. While he ultimately chose to remain at Old Trafford, the hierarchy has since ensured there is no longer any uncertainty regarding his availability, with Sky Sports analyst James Savundra noting the shift from a 50:50 stance 12 months ago to a firm retention policy.

Savundra highlighted that while United may have considered a £100m offer in the past to reinvest in other areas, the current priority is securing Fernandes for the upcoming season. He suggested the club would be expected to work on a contract extension to prevent the player from being able to speak to foreign clubs over a free transfer in January, given his importance to Carrick’s project in both the Premier League and European competitions.

In other squad developments, pre-season performances have provided positive indicators for Carrick’s depth. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have been highlighted as returning to form, with Mbeumo looking sharp in front of goal and Diallo appearing confident following his World Cup campaign with Cote d’Ivoire. The future of Joshua Zirkzee remains a point of intrigue, with the Dutchman showing improvement that could see him provide cover in the No 10 position, though his long-term status is yet to be determined.

Manchester United recently suffered a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in a pre-season friendly in Wroclaw, managed by Carrick against Ruben Amorim’s side. The match marked the first pre-season appearances for Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez. The team now turns its attention to their Premier League opener against Hull City.