Everything Bruno Fernandes has said about Man Utd future as 'Real Madrid plot bid'

The transfer news will have already spread anxiety through the fanbase. , whose form has been critical to Ruben Amorim's side despite their erratic campaign, is .

The manager will likely do everything he can to block any potential transfer, with the club captain his side's top scorer this season with 16 goals. He underlined his importance last month with a hat-trick against Real Sociedad to help United into the quarter-final stage and keep alive hopes of European football next season. However, has admitted and a sizeable fee for the 30-year-old would go a long way towards addressing that.

Express Sport looks at what Fernandes, who last August signed a new deal that runs until 2027, has said about his future....

His desire to stay

Upon extending his deal in the summer, the Portuguese international was adamant that remaining in Manchester was always his first priority. However, he also implied that he did first seek assurances that the club harboured ambitions to again compete with the elite.

"The club knew that I want to compete with the best teams," said Fernandes. "They knew that we needed to improve the team. And I think that we're doing that. "I said to them 'I don't need you to promise me that we're going to win the league', because no one can promise that.

"But at least that we will have a team to compete and be competitive throughout the season, to try to achieve silverware and to compete at the highest levels. I think the club is doing that. It's trying to bring people in to get more players with quality in the team; to get more competitive."

On life in Manchester

Fernandes joined from Sporting CP in January 2020, and ahead of this campaign, spoke glowingly about his affiliation both for United and the city, saying: "Obviously, my love for the club hasn't changed. It has grown.

"Because you get to know the city, you get to know the fans, and you get to know how the people live here. For me and my wife, it feels like home. It's something strong to say, because I'm a real home person and I love my country, I love my city."

On being 'fed up' of losing

Since his pledges of loyalty, though, Fernandes has criticised the club's poor form, which has left United on course for their worst-ever Premier League season. Speaking after the 3-1 loss to Brighton in January, he made comments that may now be deemed significant by United fans and the Real Madrid hierarchy.

"We can't be comfortable in thinking that this is ok," he ranted. "Because it's not. I'm not here to lose games and be in the position we are in at the moment. But I know that no one in that dressing room is and if someone is, they can't be here."