Manchester United hope to agree a new contract with captain Bruno Fernandes in the next few weeks.

The midfielder’s current contract, which he signed in 2022, expires in 2026.

It is possible that an announcement could be made before the transfer window closes on August 30, but for now United’s management are primarily focused on completing deals that need to be completed by that date.

Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as the club’s captain in 2023 and Erik ten Hag has continued to trust the midfielder despite being heavily criticised at times by former United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane.

The 29-year-old was not considered one of the “untouchables” and United was not prepared to listen to offers this summer.

However, a sale would always have had to be based on an offer that the club could not refuse and that did not materialise.

Fernandes expressed doubts about his future at Old Trafford ahead of the FA Cup final in May, saying he wanted to align his own expectations with those of the club as a whole.

The midfielder played 90 minutes on Saturday as United lost on penalties to Manchester City after a 1-1 draw in the Community Shield.

United are close to completing the double signing of centre-back Matthijs de Ligt and full-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

Combined with the signing of Leny Yoro from Lille and striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, United’s spending this summer would be close to £140 million.