Manchester United followed up a shock FA Cup penalty-shootout defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough last weekend with a hugely disappointing Premier League draw away at Burnley on Tuesday night.
20.01.2022 - 23:54 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United must secure a top-four finish this season if they are to tie Bruno Fernandes down to a new deal according to Paul Robinson.
As per the Athletic, the 27-year-old declined the offer of a new contract in the autumn, however his deal at Old Trafford runs until the summer of 2025, leaving United in a relatively comfortable position.
Further negotiations over a new deal have reportedly been put on hold until the end of the campaign, when it will be known which if any European competition the club have qualified for.
Former England goalkeeper Robinson believes the Reds’ hopes of tying Fernandes down to a new long term deal, may hinge on them clinching a place in European football’s elite club competition.
“If they don’t secure Champions League football the question will be asked of Fernandes," he told Football Insider.
“Manchester United are one of the world’s biggest clubs and they need players like Fernandes around.
“But if the player has ambitions of winning the Champions League in the near future he is certainly not going to do that at Manchester United. So he could leave.
“The club want to have him tied down to a new contract by this time next year really.”
Robinson also believes United’s next managerial appointment will be a factor in the Portugal star’s decision.
He added: “A lot will depend on which manager comes into the club at the end of the season. I cannot see [Ralf] Rangnick getting the job permanently. He has not done enough and there is unrest behind the scenes. Not much has changed.
“If you are Fernandes, you are waiting to see who the next manager is and whether there will be Champions League football next season before signing an extension.”
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