Fernandes steals the show at Croke Park as Man Utd face fresh questions over his future
Bruno Fernandes was the star attraction as Manchester United played a historic pre-season match against Leeds at Dublin's Croke Park, while the club faces renewed uncertainty over his contract amid reported interest from Juventus, AC Milan and Galatasaray.
Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Leeds at Croke Park in Dublin became a night dominated by captain Bruno Fernandes, even as the match itself marked a historic first for English club football at the 82,500-capacity Gaelic Athletic Association venue. The loudest cheer of the evening came when Fernandes was substituted after an hour, and fans repeatedly ran onto the pitch during the game seeking selfies with him, disruption serious enough that the match was cut short after 90 minutes without added time and went straight to a penalty shootout. The game itself finished 1-1, and although Fernandes missed his spot-kick, Noussair Mazraoui converted to seal a 5-4 shootout win for United.
The result mattered far less than the broader preparations for the new season. Fernandes' standing among supporters was already well established, but it was reinforced last season when his nine goals and a club-record 21 assists helped United finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League.
Following last summer's uncertainty over a big-money offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal, United's captain is again attracting interest, this time from Italian sides Juventus and AC Milan as well as Turkey's Galatasaray. Fernandes carries a £57m release clause available to overseas clubs. His current deal has entered its final year, with an option for a further season, but no new contract has yet been agreed. He is understood to want to stay at United and compete for trophies, even as the club looks to manage its wage bill carefully.
Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez all missed the match after returning from World Cup commitments. Rashford, who spent the past year on loan at Barcelona, now looks set to remain at United after the Spanish club chose not to make his move permanent.
