Milan weigh move for Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United future comes under scrutiny

AC Milan are monitoring Bruno Fernandes’ situation at Manchester United as Ruben Amorim considers the possibility of being reunited with the Portuguese midfielder.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, relations between Fernandes and the Manchester United hierarchy have deteriorated, raising the prospect of the club captain seeking a move during the January transfer window.

Fernandes was left on the bench for Manchester United’s defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford earlier this week. His omission came shortly after he publicly criticised the club following their 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League.

The midfielder said Manchester United were placing too much emphasis on their past achievements instead of concentrating on the future.

Michael Carrick, who is also under increasing pressure, publicly disagreed with Fernandes’ comments. The manager’s response has added to the scrutiny surrounding the player’s position at the club.

Contract situation

Fernandes’ current Manchester United contract runs until June 2027, although discussions over an extension have stalled.

The club have an option to extend the agreement by a further year. Manchester United could exercise that clause to prevent the player from leaving for nothing and ensure they receive a transfer fee if he is sold.

The deal also contains a release clause worth about €65m for foreign clubs. Fernandes, 32, turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia during the previous summer transfer window.

Milan’s principal difficulty would be meeting the midfielder’s salary. Fernandes earns €10.2m net per year, a figure well beyond the Italian club’s financial capacity.

For a move to become possible, both Fernandes and Milan would therefore have to make concessions over the player’s wages and the terms of any transfer.

Amorim role

Amorim knows Fernandes’ abilities well from their time together at Old Trafford and is keen to work with his former player again.

The Manchester United manager believes the former Udinese and Sampdoria midfielder could excel in either of the two attacking midfield positions behind the striker in his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.

That tactical fit could strengthen Amorim’s interest in keeping Fernandes, while Milan’s monitoring reflects the uncertainty surrounding the player’s future at Manchester United.

The club’s next listed Serie A fixture is against Bologna on 28 October 2026. Manchester United are scheduled to play Chelsea in the Premier League on 31 October 2026.