Bruno Fernandes made his 300th appearance for Manchester United in the weekend 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, becoming only the second Portuguese player for the club to reach that mark after Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair spent 18 months together at Old Trafford following Ronaldo’s return in 2021, and while their on-field relationship provoked debate at times, they remain close off the pitch. “I spoke with Cristiano about the situation, Saudi and everything,” Fernandes recently admitted.

Fernandes chose to stay at United rather than leave and that decision brought an inevitable milestone in 2025–26. He is the 52nd player in club history to reach 300 games, a total he amassed quickly thanks to a strong injury record. At his current rate, the midfielder “will soon top Ronaldo’s haul of 346 United games,” a comparison that has prompted analysis of their respective records.

The statistical picture is mixed. Both players reached 300 appearances, but Fernandes has more starts (284) than Ronaldo had at that point (250). Ronaldo scored 124 goals in his first 300 United matches, 50 of which came from the bench, while Fernandes has 100 goals and 87 assists, giving him 20 more assists than Ronaldo’s 67.

Minutes-based metrics favour Ronaldo. Fernandes averages 255 minutes per goal compared to Ronaldo’s 185.3, and Fernandes records a goal contribution every 136.4 minutes against Ronaldo’s 120.3. Ronaldo’s first 300 appearances included major trophies: three Premier League titles and both domestic cups. Fernandes has also contributed to silverware, lifting the EFL Cup and FA Cup under Erik ten Hag, both victories arriving after Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr at the end of 2022.

Ronaldo’s pathway included extended success at Real Madrid and Juventus between his United spells, and his 300th United appearance came 14 years after his 200th. Fernandes has matched the milestone in a different context: often carrying a team that has not always matched Ronaldo’s collective achievements.

Ruben Amorim has indicated he expects Harry Maguire to be available before Manchester United travel to Nottingham Forest next weekend. Maguire’s absence did not prevent Amorim’s side from recording a third consecutive Premier League victory, and the manager is optimistic the centre back can rejoin the squad as United attempt to extend that run.

“Hopefully, he’s going to join us next week, but we’ll see,” Amorim told MUTV. “I hope to have him next week. It’s a simple thing but you never know. And I don’t like to take risks with players. It’s the wrong thing for Harry and for the teammates that are working.

“I just want to show, every time, everyone is important in this team. We have a very good squad.”

Amorim has settled on a three-man defence in which Maguire has become a regular starter after a difficult period at Old Trafford. The tactical switch is credited with bringing improved performances from the centre back and reinforcing his importance to the team.

Maguire enters the final season of his contract and faces a pivotal moment in his career. He is reported to be keen on signing an extension, but any new deal will be shaped by financial considerations, with the player’s current high salary unlikely to be matched in fresh terms. Maguire is said to be prepared to accept lower wages on a future contract, but negotiations are expected to be delicate and complicated despite a mutual desire to reach agreement.

The defender is one of several players with expiring deals that the club must address. Resurgent midfielder Casemiro is approaching the final six months of his contract, and backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton and fringe left back Tyrell Malacia are also nearing the end of their current terms. The club will need to balance squad stability with financial constraints as talks progress.

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.