By Simon Stone and Sean KearnsBBC Sport.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a second contract offer from the club. The Portugal midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, though the club have the option to trigger a 12-month extension until 2028.
United are keen to avoid that eventuality by extending the 32-year-old’s existing deal and have been in talks with the Portuguese’s representatives in recent months.
But sources have told BBC Sport that Fernandes has rejected the club’s second proposal over a new deal at Old Trafford.
Should United fail to agree a fresh deal with Fernandes, it is almost certain that the club will trigger a 12-month extension in his contract before 1 January.
At that point, the midfielder would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs as his contract would be within six months of expiring.
It is unclear when Fernandes turned down the offer, but it appears unlikely that a resolution is imminent given the upheaval at the club.
Michael Carrick was sacked as head coachon Thursday following the club’s worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace Carrick, with the Argentine set to be in charge for the first time when United travel to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool on 22 November.
United will be hoping that Pochettino’s arrival will persuade Fernandes to commit his future to the club.
Fernandes came close to joining Pochettino’s Tottenham in 2019 but a move failed to materialise, with the midfielder signing for United six months later. The former Sporting midfielder has scored six times in 13 matches for United this season.