Fernandes in talks over new Man Utd contract to make him club's best-paid star

Manchester United are ready to make Bruno Fernandes their highest earner after the playmaker underlined his talismanic status with a hat-trick on Sunday.

Fernandes, just days on from being named the PFA Player of the Year, scored three times in United's 5-2 rout of Ipswich at Old Trafford. The Portugal star was on hand to net their equaliser before the side ran riot in the second half.

Fernandes signed new terms with United in 2022 and 2024, the expiry date of his contract was only extended by a year on each occasion, but his salary increased significantly. The Sun report that his next deal could see him earn around £350,000-a-week

The ex-Sporting Lisbon man currently earns £300,000-a-week. Marcus Rashford is United’s highest earner on a weekly wage of £325,000, but he's spent the last 18 months away from Manchester before returning to the fold.

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United have attempted to change their wage structure, adopting more of a measured approach, but those at the club accept that Fernandes is performing to an incredibly high level and is deserving of a major pay bump.

As well as the PFA award, Fernandes also claimed the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year gong midway through last season, where he broke the record for assists in a single Premier League campaign. He also won an unprecedented fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in May.

Fernandes was linked with the exit door previously as a move to Saudi Arabia was discussed for around £80million, but Ruben Amorim blocked any exit.

That has proved a shrewd move with Fernandes continuing to prove inspirational for United and was key in their return to form under Michael Carrick last season.

Gary Neville waxed lyrical about Fernandes following Sunday's exploits, hailing him as the best piece of recruitment since 2013. “He is the best signing post Sir Alex Ferguson by an absolute mile," he said on his podcast. "He has got the guts, the courage, the belief to play for Manchester United, the numbers he has delivered with assists and goals. He's an outstanding player, he really is.”

Fernandes has scored 110 goals in 329 appearances for United since he signed from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

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