How keeping Bruno Fernandes could COST Man Utd millions more if they win Europa League

If Manchester United win the Europa League, it could reportedly cost the club millions.

Manchester United arguably have one foot in Bilbao’s final, having won 3-0 against Athletic Club in last Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg at San Mames.

On that occasion, Bruno Fernandes starred with a brace and continued to show impressive form in an otherwise poor United side this term.

Fernandes, 30, has since been linked with a potential move away from the club with journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have “genuine interest” in the Portugal international.

Romano posted an update to X on May 5, which read: “Al Hilal have genuine interest in Bruno Fernandes as one of their top targets this summer. Man United see

Bruno as crucial player, same for Rúben Amorim — no talks have started between

clubs, no bid or club to club approach. Man Utd insist on clear plan to keep Bruno.”

United head coach Ruben Amorim was asked about his captain potentially leaving during a press conference on May 7.

"I think it’s easy to understand that [there is interest],” said Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United this season (Credit:Getty)

“Not just because of the numbers, but the way he plays, the impact he has during his five years here, he’s a top player. We need the top players.

“He’s a leader, he’s the captain, so he’s really important. It’s normal that there are a lot of clubs that want a player like Bruno, like Garnacho, like others. But we want to keep the best players, and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world. So, our idea didn’t change. We want Bruno here."

How much will Europa League win cost Man Utd?

If United are to win this year’s Europa League, Fernandes will need to be at his best on Thursday evening and in the final later this month as United will face Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham Hotspur if they get past Athletic.

And If United were to lift the Europa League, in doing so, they will qualify for next season’s Champions League despite being 15^th in the Premier League.

A Europa League triumph could cost the club a fortune due to a 'Champions League qualification bonus' which was previously removed from players' contracts after they failed to qualify for this year's competition.

GOAL reported in April that United's players "saw their salary reduced by 25 per cent" after they failed to qualify for the Champions League last term.

If the bonus is reinstated, which has not been confirmed by the club, this would mean United's players would be set to benefit.

As things stand, Fernandes earns £300,000 per week - as per Capology - which would increase by £75,000 if the 25 percent is added. United's total weekly wage bill is estimated to be around £ 3,315,750, which would increase to £4,446,875 with the added 25 percent.

How much will Man Utd earn from Champions League qualification?

Qualifying for Europe's premier club competition would reportedly see the club receive a minimum of £70m in prize money, according BBC Sport.

A breakdown of UEFA's prize pot breakdown is below:

Qualification = £16m

League phase victory = £1.8m

League phase draw = £600,000

Each place in 36-team table is worth an additional £800,000+

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained: "A modest set of results of three wins, three draws and two defeats, and a 10th-place finish, would therefore generate £13m. A perfect set of results in the group stage would earn £22m.

"The prize money is enhanced by Uefa's 'value pillar' linked to a club's European competition success over the past five years and the amount the domestic broadcaster (Amazon/TNT in the UK) pay for the rights.

"Manchester United are probably about 12th in the Uefa rankings and could therefore expect to earn at least £1m per position out of the 36 teams in the Champions League, so this could be worth another £24m.

"The rewards start to accelerate once a club reaches the knockout stage, with about an extra £20m, for example, for reaching the quarter-finals and £54m for the winners.

"A modest run to the quarter-finals is therefore likely to generate a possible Uefa payout of £73m from prize money alone."