Manchester United star who wants a new contract might win award at Euro 2024

"I like the negativity, thinking the national team is not that good," said Bruno Fernandes after a recent friendly defeat for Portugal in preparation for Euro 2024.

"It's a sign that people expect a lot from the national team and it means that we have the quality to do more, we know that and in this game, we have the opportunity to rectify it."

Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the captain's armband for Portugal at this summer's tournament in Germany, but Manchester United's captain is set to play a crucial role.

Although Portugal are the bookies' fourth favourites to win Euro 2024, shrewd judges have backed them to go far in the tournament. Portugal need Fernandes to enjoy an excellent tournament to make the final and perhaps a sprinkling of stardust from a 39-year-old Ronaldo.

ALSO READ: United make progress with Sancho and Greenwood exits

ALSO READ: Ten Hag won a battle against Ronaldo and a war to keep his job

The good news for Portugal is Fernandes enjoyed a wonderful season for United and enters the tournament with a point to prove, as he wants a new contract at Old Trafford.

Fernandes' deal with United expires in the summer of 2026 and there's an option for another year, but he's thought to want better terms that reflect his importance to the team.

There's no player in the United dressing room who has greater importance than Fernandes. He's been the most consistent performer since signing from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and delivered strong displays last season in a struggling side that finished eighth in the table.

United would have finished even lower in the Premier League without Fernandes and his absence was felt when he succumbed to injury for the first time in his club career in May. Fernandes returned for the final home game of the season against Newcastle and United won.

Fernandes makes the difference when he plays and thankfully for United he's been an ever-present in the last few years, avoiding injury when others have picked up issues.

The midfielder has regularly played through pain and joked in the mixed zone after the win against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals that his robustness was down to his parents.

"I just have to be grateful for my father and my mum because they made me the right way, the strong way," he laughed. Fernandes' parents will be closely following him as he represents his nation at Euro 2024 in Germany and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him pick up another individual award.

Fernandes won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a third time last season and has an opportunity to win the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024.

The Euros begin on Friday night and Portugal will play their first game on Tuesday against the Czech Republic. After that opening game, they will face Turkey and Georgia, and reaching the final should be easier - providing they win Group F - because of their side of the bracket.

Portugal will likely play Hungary, Croatia or Serbia in the Round of 16, the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and Spain or Germany in the semi-finals. They are expected to go deep into the competition and Fernandes will be in contention to win Player of the Tournament if they do.

Fernandes is equally important for Portugal and United. Since he arrived in the Premier League, no player has created more chances or big chances and he's consistently produced goals and assists when United have needed him most, so he will influence how far Portugal progress.

He will be at the heart of everything Portugal do in Germany. That will place Fernandes in the shop window - more than he already is - and United must tie him down to a new deal to prevent clubs like Bayern Munich and Inter Milan from acting on their interest in signing him.

Fernandes should enjoy a superb Euro 2024 and he must be a United player when next season starts.