Carrick’s Rotation Plan
Michael Carrick, who managed United last season, said he played Bruno Fernandes for 90 minutes in each of his 17 games in charge. "I’ve said quite a lot about Bruno, he’s been a big part of the team and the club over recent times and had a huge impact, so he’ll continue to do that," Carrick told reporters. "But there’s the element talking about the squad and the depth, and as we go through the season and the waves and the momentum and keeping the boys in good form, but keeping them fresh as well. So Bruno’s part of that. He’s a big player for us, he’s obviously our captain, but there’s still elements where we need to look after him." United are back in the Champions League and are aiming for deeper runs in the FA Cup and League Cup, meaning the fixture list will be heavy. Carrick believes a rotation policy will help keep key players fit for the long haul.
Fernandes’ Role and Contract
Fernandes, 31, joined United in January 2020 and has been the team’s attacking fulcrum. He is the club’s captain and is behind Marcus Rashford in earnings. His current contract runs to 2027 and includes a club option for an additional year. The player has expressed a desire to stay at Old Trafford, and contract talks are ongoing.
The 32‑year‑old has attracted interest from Galatasaray, who proposed a €20 million per year contract, and from Al Hilal, who made a more lucrative offer last year. Despite these suitors, Fernandes has remained at United.
Recent Performance and Injury Record
Fernandes has been remarkably consistent. He has missed only six games through injury or illness since joining, and has played more than 3,000 minutes in each of his six full Premier League campaigns, averaging more than 33 completed 90‑minute matches per season. He has broken the Premier League assists record with 21 assists and was named FWA Footballer of the Year.
He missed three games through a hamstring injury at the end of Ruben Amorim’s tenure last season, two games in May 2024 with a knee problem, and one game in March 2023 through illness. He has rarely been unavailable.
Bench Incidents and Managerial Comments
Only five times has Fernandes been fit but benched or left out in the Premier League. In May 2025 he was on the bench for the entire 4‑3 loss to Brentford between the two legs of the Europa League semi‑final against Athletic Club. A month earlier he was substituted for the final 30 minutes of a 0‑0 draw with Wolves, three days after playing 120 minutes against Lyon in the Europa League.
Ralf Rangnick used him for the final half‑hour in a 1‑0 home defeat by Wolves in January 2022, four days after a one‑match ban. In May 2021 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent him on for the final 12 minutes of a 2‑1 home defeat to Leicester, five days after the Europa League semi‑final second leg at Roma, and two days before hosting Liverpool. Solskjaer also rested him entirely for the win at Wolves three days before the Europa League final against Villarreal.
Carrick’s comments come after manager Ruben Amorim said last November that Fernandes would need to understand the possibility of being benched occasionally if United want to win every game across all competitions.
Looking Ahead
Carrick’s suggestion that Fernandes will be rotated reflects United’s ambition to compete on multiple fronts while safeguarding the fitness of their key players. The 31‑year‑old’s durability and leadership will remain central to the club’s plans, but a strategic rotation could be the difference between success and fatigue as the season progresses.
