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Manchester United are close to triggering Bruno Fernandes’ contract extension.
The 30 year old’s current deal expires in June 2026, with an option to extend it for another year.
According to The Athletic, both parties are optimistic about reaching an agreement soon.
Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag have placed their utmost faith in his abilities and have gone on to base their entire tactical system with him at the centre.
The latter even appointed him as captain, replacing Harry Maguire.
It is fair to say that Bruno has undoubtedly been United’s most influential signing since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Most United fans adore Bruno for his passion on the field and notably aggressive playing style, synonymous with the ‘United Way.’
He plays with his heart on his sleeve, running tirelessly to help the team in all situations.
The Portuguese playmaker boasts a staggering 79 goals and 67 assists in 234 appearances for United.
Bruno has shone in these chaotic few seasons for the Red Devils without a definite style of play, registering sensational numbers in matches.
However, it can also be said that the chaos brings the best out of Bruno. His playing style thrives in a counter-attacking system, benefitting players like Marcus Rashford.
These haphazard tactics have not helped the club when looking at it from a broader perspective.
United have won two domestic cups in the past six years, while their city rivals did the treble and are now looking to win their fifth Premier League title in a row.
What United lack is control on the pitch.
This chaotic playing style might look fantastic when the team pulls off a gritty win against their rivals in a one-off game. But over the course of a season, the teams that tend to win titles always have control in and out of possession.
At a time when INEOS are planning a structural and philosophical change at the club, one can assume their preference for a more sustainable style of football.
Minor signs of change in United’s approach were evident in the Community Shield Final defeat to Manchester City.
The players were more patient under pressure and did not panic in possession.
Moreover, the three newest signings, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazroui and Joshua Zirkzee, are especially suited to this playing style.
If United move in this tactical direction, seeing how Bruno is used will be interesting.
His new contract extension, coupled with his role as United’s captain, all but guarantees his status as undroppable and one of the first names on the team sheet.
This raises questions about the future of other key players, particularly Mason Mount, for whom United invested £60 million.
The Dutch coach faces the challenge of integrating Bruno into a more controlled system, which could complicate finding the right balance in midfield.
Last season, he was asked to drop deep and facilitate build-up, which does not align with his natural game.
He is not good in tight spaces and needs more time on the ball to make those fantastical passes.
The only way to bring Bruno’s best out of this system would be to use him as a ‘final-action’ player. In other words, leave him out of the build-up entirely and let him be that aggressive playmaker in the final third.
This is one of the main reasons why the club must sign a controlling midfielder this summer to allow Bruno complete freedom in the attacking third.
The United captain’s contract extension might not have surprised most, but it certainly does have its contradictions.
Whether Ten Hag decides to tweak Bruno’s role or persist with the old system remains to be seen.
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