Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has made clear he will not engage in any discussions about his future until after this summer’s World Cup, even as reports of a previously undisclosed release clause have intensified speculation.

Sources claim a clause could allow a move to a team outside England’s top flight for as little as €65 million (£56.8 million, $75.6 million) in 2026. Fernandes remains under contract until the summer of 2027, with United holding the option to extend that deal to 2028.

The 31-year-old was targeted by the Saudi Pro League last summer. After hinting at a willingness to leave Old Trafford in the wake of the Europa League final, Fernandes received a substantial approach from Al Hilal. A bid thought to be worth around €115 million was reportedly rejected by United, while the package on the table for the player would have included a trebling of his wages and a contract reportedly worth £200 million over three years.

Despite the financial allure, Fernandes says negotiations will not start until after the World Cup. “As I’ve always said, I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still,” United ’s No. 8 told the BBC.

“I can’t talk for the club. I’ve seen a lot of people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn’t made with me. I haven’t spoken with anyone.

“My agent also knows how I work. If he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”

Family factors and conversations played a part in his decision to remain. “Have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve at the club?” was the message Fernandes received from the mother of his children, Ana, rather than Ruben Amorim.

“My family feels very well here,” Fernandes explained. “My kids love to go to school. They love the way they live here, even with the weather. Everyone is settled. We say sometimes the house we have here, it feels more like home than the one we have in Portugal.”

And on unfinished objectives at Old Trafford he added: “When I talk about not fulfilling my dreams at the club, it comes a lot from what she said to me,” he smiled.

For now, Fernandes has placed a nine-month pause on transfer discussion, while the reported clause and his contract situation will continue to draw attention.

Ruben Amorim gave a terse reply to Arne Slot’s recent comments, cutting through the noise ahead of Manchester United’s home match with Brighton & Hove Albion. When pressed on Slot’s remarks at Friday’s press conference, Amorim responded simply: “I don’t care.”

He elaborated on his view of external criticism in the same briefing. “I don’t care what Slot is saying, what people are saying about our team,” he huffed during Friday’s press conference. “I can watch the game and say we can do better and we need to do better in the future but sometimes you need to adapt to the game.”

United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had previously highlighted the team’s tactical adjustment against Liverpool, noting that the Red Devils played long to avoid being smothered by Liverpool’s high press, an approach that delivered the desired result after the famous Anfield victory.

Amorim left little room for outside analysis of his squad. “I don’t need anyone to evaluate my team,” Amorim added before turning his attention to the visit from Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. “I can evaluate my team and I am really clear that we should play better with the ball and we are going to try to do that in this game.”

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has been studying United’s responses and is preparing his side for a similar long-ball strategy. “The main thing you need to understand is that it starts with the press, how you attack the goalkeeper, which centre back you want to attack,” Hürzeler explained to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. “And then make sure that you’re ready for the long ball.

“When the long ball is played, there are two things that are very important: that you try to win the second ball, and that, if you don’t win the second ball, you have good positioning for the third ball.

“Make sure that, with your last line, you always cover the inner line, so when they try to flick the ball, especially with [Benjamin] Šeško, you can defend against the deep runs from [Matheus] Cunha, from [Bryan] Mbeumo, from [Mason] Mount.

“They are very good at these things, so it’s a job for the whole team, not only of the defensive players. The main thing is to keep the compactness, make sure you have close distances, that you close the gaps, and that you’re really intense for the second ball.”

Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s public tone has come under scrutiny amid Liverpool’s poor run of form. Slot’s comment calling Newcastle United a “smaller club” while discussing Alexander Isak’s recovery was deflected by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “I don’t think that’s wise for me to get involved in those discussions,” Howe replied. “Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won’t comment on it.”

When reminded of Newcastle’s position in the Champions League phase and their ambitions, Howe added: “The set-up is here is very good. It is not perfect, we’ve got things to improve and to grow. But the owners here have developed the facilities since I’ve been here very, very well. ]

Manchester United could be without both centre back Harry Maguire and midfielder Mason Mount for Saturday’s visit of Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed. Maguire suffered a knock in training that has left him a major doubt for the game. He was the hero last time out with a late winner against Liverpool.

Amorim addressed the issue at his pre-match press briefing. “The squad is fine,” Amorim began. “We have some doubts, we had some issues during the week, with Harry Maguire and Mason Mount. Knocks, but nothing serious.

“Licha [Martínez] is out, but the rest is ready for the game. I think it’s always going to be like always, but it’s going to be a very difficult game. It’s a difficult team. They are fun to watch, really good with build-up, really strong with transitions in every aspect of the game and are doing well with set-pieces.”

Maguire is playing for his United future as he approaches the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. Reports have claimed both parties are keen on an extension and Maguire is thought to be prepared to accept a pay cut to try and get a deal over the line. Amorim refused to be drawn on the negotiations.

“We are really happy with Harry,” he deflected. “It is not the time to talk about that again because that gives the idea that we are thinking so far away. We are really happy with Harry. He is really important for us, but we need to focus on the next game.

“I think it was good for him to play with the three centre backs. I think he feels more comfortable.

“He doesn’t need to go to the side so much. Sometimes, you help some players with the way you play. Sometimes, it is the opposite with some players. I am really pleased. I think he is not young, but he can learn a lot. He can improve. I think he can be so much better with the ball because he has that quality.

“He needs to show that. Nowadays, with the set-pieces that you see, the amount of men that you put in the box, every cross from the opponent, everyone is playing the pass.

“He is a massive player for us, so I’m really happy, but he needs to continue and that game [vs. Liverpool] is in the past. The goal is in the past, let’s move into the future.”