Manchester United have opened talks with Bruno Fernandes over a new contract for heir inspirational captain.

Sources have confirmed that preliminary discussions have taken place between the club and Fernandes’ camp to tie him to a new deal at Old Trafford.

The Portugal star has 10 months left on his existing £220,0000-a-week contract, although United have the option to extend it by another year.

Despite fresh speculation over Fernandes’ future this summer, United are adamant that they want him to stay and will try to reach an agreement before the end of the year.

The 31-year-old again underlined his importance to Michael Carrick’s team again on Sunday by scoring a hat-trick and adding another assist in the 5-2 win over Ipswich at the end of the week in which he was crowned PFA Player of the Year.

Fernandes has emerged as a target for Galatasaray this summer with the Turkish club prepared to offer him a four-year contract that would double his wages, as well as a £3.5million signing-on fee.

Juventus and AC Milan are also said to have been monitoring his situation at Old Trafford, even though a £56.7m release clause in his contract expired in July.

It follows a summer of fevered speculation last year when Fernandes came close to leaving United for Al-Hilal. His agent Miguel Pinho held talks in Riyadh with the Saudi Pro League side who offered the player a contract worth around £200m over three years and United a transfer fee of £100m.

Fernandes eventually rejected the move but later admitted to feeling ‘hurt’ that United were prepared to accept Al-Hilal’s bid.

The former Sporting Lisbon player has 110 goals and 109 assists in 329 games for United since moving to Old Trafford in 2020. Speaking last week, he emphasised his desire to stay at the club and continue playing at the highest level after setting a Premier League record of 21 assists last season.

‘For me, it's about being the best I can to keep myself playing with the best – and playing with the best is playing in the Premier League and playing for Man United,’ said Fernandes.

‘The goals (target) and everything that are set to my season every year is always the same. I don't change, and it doesn't change by being here for a longer period or a smaller one.

‘I play at the strength the manager needs me to play, and then if I'm not capable or able to do it, I need to step aside. I think every player needs to understand their timings, their moments.’