Man Utd begin tracking perfect Bruno Fernandes replacement hours after he turns down new contract

Manchester United are tracking a potential replacement for Bruno Fernandes in case he leaves Old Trafford next summer.

Fernandes' contract at United expires in June 2027, and the deal includes the option of a further 12 months, but the club's hierarchy are keen to tie him down to longer terms.

The 13-time Premier League champions have been locked in talks with their captain since the summer when he turned down their first proposal. It then emerged on Thursday evening that Fernandes has rejected a second contract offer from United after reacting to Michael Carrick's exit.

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Man United identify Nico Paz as Bruno Fernandes' replacement

According to The Athletic, the club are understood to have tabled an improved offer, although the 32-year-old is 'not yet satisfied' with the proposed terms.

Fernandes joined Man United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and is comfortably regarded as the club's best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

The 97-cap Portuguese international has 113 goals and 111 assists in 341 appearances for the Red Devils and would leave a gaping hole in attacking midfield if his emotional departure is confirmed next summer.

Crucially, Fernandes can talk to foreign clubs about a potential free transfer from January 1, and it appears Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have already lined up his long-term replacement.

A report from The Sun has indicated that Man United are monitoring Como superstar Nico Paz, who scored twice and recorded an assist in their 4-1 destruction of United in the Champions League last month.

Como shelled out 60million to sign Paz from Real Madrid this summer after starring on a season-long loan and has since watched his stock skyrocket this season with eight goal involvements across just four matches in Europe's elite competition.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Italian side in the summer, and within the agreement, Real inserted a £67million buy-back option that can be activated next summer.

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What Cesc Fabregas has said about Nico Paz

Primarily a central attacking midfielder, Paz can also play as a right winger, false nine or deep-lying playmaker, sharing similar versatile traits to Fernandes.

Known for his incisive line-breaking passes and elite finishing, the Argentine undoubtedly has the potential to fill the void of United's No. 8 - should he leave the club.

But the biggest question is whether he would be tempted by a move to Old Trafford. Although Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at United and is familiar with Como's superstar, it's unlikely the Serie A side would sell him for any less than the £67m Real can pay next June.

It's even more unlikely given how highly rated he is by Como boss Cesc Fabregas, who has waxed lyrical about the playmaker on several occasions, including in October 2025.

"He's a champion. I’m calm about him and his future," the Spaniard said. "He can get to wherever he wants if he carries on with this hunger and humility. The talent and physicality is there with him."

Fabregas also spoke about how Paz must play with "freedom" after he initially joined on a season-long loan from Los Blancos in 2024.

“He’s a special player, and he must be free to express himself,” the Barcelona said in a post-match press conference.

“We must not make him robotic. I spoke to him this morning, and he wanted to play. He was ready.”