Manchester United are increasingly confident of securing captain Bruno Fernandes to a new long-term contract, viewing his retention as a pivotal step in their aim to challenge for the Premier League title by the 2027-28 season. According to a report from The Times, senior officials at Old Trafford believe the club is on course to achieve 'Project 150', the initiative set by CEO Omar Berrada to win the men's and women's league titles in the club's 150th anniversary year.
United's optimism stems from a significant upturn in form under interim manager Michael Carrick, who has guided the team to third place in the table and is now the frontrunner for the permanent head coach role. The club's hierarchy reportedly believes the squad could mount a serious title challenge as soon as next season, a prospect that hinges on Fernandes remaining at the heart of their project. The 31-year-old's current deal expires in June 2027, and negotiations over an extension are understood to be progressing positively.
The Portuguese playmaker has reaffirmed his importance this season, registering eight goals and 20 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. Notably, 19 of those assists have come in the Premier League, leaving him just two shy of the single-season record. His form has revived under Carrick, who has restored Fernandes to his favoured number ten role after the midfielder was often deployed deeper during the turbulent tenure of Ruben Amorim. Fernandes had previously confirmed talks over a potential move to the Saudi Pro League last summer before deciding to stay.
United's strategy extends beyond Fernandes's new deal. Club chiefs, including technical director Jason Wilcox, recognize that further squad building is essential to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal. The report indicates that United intend to sign two top-quality midfielders this summer, with Brighton's Carlos Baleba emerging as a primary target. A second, more cost-effective option is also being sought, with players such as Atalanta's Ederson, Wolves' Joao Gomes, or Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand under consideration.
The broader recruitment drive will also address other positions, with a left winger, a left-back, and a centre-half on the club's shortlist. The planned midfield reinforcements are seen as crucial to building a unit capable of supporting Fernandes and sustaining a title challenge. The club's belief in its trajectory marks a significant shift from earlier this season, when historic lows under Amorim prompted a managerial change. With Fernandes's future looking secure and a clear transfer plan in place, United's leadership is betting that stability and strategic investment can end a Premier League title drought that has lasted since Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in 2013.
