Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes makes stance on long-term future clear after talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed fresh talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group at Old Trafford.
The British billionaire a deal to purchase a stake in the club in February and will take control of footballing operations.
A behind the scenes overhaul is already underway at United, with Omar Berrada set to join as chief executive from rivals Manchester City this summer. Newcastle have placed Dan Ashworth on gardening leave ahead of his widely expected move to Old Trafford too.
Ratcliffe has vowed to restore former glories to a club who have not won a title since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson but warned he will not “buy success”, dismissing the possibility of simply spending big for the sake of it.
Fernandes, who was handed captaincy at the club last summer, insists he wants to be a future part of the project.
“I’ve already had a meeting with the new owners,” he told Portuguese outlet A Bola.
“They want to meet with the players and have already done so individually, and that’s exactly the message I passed on. I want to stay here, I want to be part of a project that has feet, legs, torso and head, everything we need to be able to compete with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, who are the clubs that have been in the best shape.”
United could yet win a trophy this season after Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 win over rivals Liverpool teed up an FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry.
Erik ten Hag’s side are six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League and duly face a fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League even if English sides are granted an extra berth.