Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes wants to be convinced that Mauricio Pochettino is the right man for the job before signing a new contract at Old Trafford, according to reports.

The Red Devils midfielder revealed last December that he felt “hurt” after claiming Man Utd wanted to sell him in the 2025 summer transfer window.

Fernandes has often been the bright spark in an average Man Utd side over the years, although his temperament has at times been in question.

Many supporters and former players don’t think the Portugal star is captain material, as he is often seen blaming others on the pitch, while he caused controversy recently by publicly criticising Michael Carrick’s tactics after a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

Despite previously looking to sell Fernandes, Man Utd have recently attempted to renew the Portuguese star’s contract, which is up at the end of this season, although the Red Devils have a one-year option to extend it.

Fernandes recently turned down a fresh contract offer from Man Utd with the captain ‘not yet satisfied’ despite being offered ‘improved terms’.

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And now The Sun claim that Fernandes has put contract talks ‘on ice’ while he works out whether incoming head coach Pochettino ‘is the real deal’.

Man Utd are currently sitting in the Premier League relegation zone and Fernandes wants to see the Red Devils show some ambition by backing Pochettino in the transfer market.

A source told The Sun: “Bruno wants to see what happens for the rest of this season before committing.

“His relationship with the club has been up and down in the last few years.

“He enjoyed a best-ever season but is unhappy with some of the decisions since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos bought into the club.

“He knows Poch is a good manager but wants to see the club back him properly — he and some other players think they have been set up to fail this season.”

The source added: “The players believe the failure to buy another left-back in the summer was inexcusable.

READ: Man Utd defender ‘oversteps the mark’ in ‘dressing room’ and ‘bites at teammates’ – top source

“They are bemused by some of the decisions.

“There is a disconnect between the players and the hierarchy.”

An agreement between Man Utd and Fernandes is ‘still far away’ – Romano

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano also gave an update on Fernandes’ future earlier this week with the Red Devils skipper “really disappointed” at where the club find themselves.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “My understanding, guys, is that Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United’s situation is exactly the same since June.

“So Man United started this conversation with Bruno and with his agent at the beginning of June, even before the start of the World Cup. Man United wanted to get a new deal done because for Bruno there were offers from Europe and not only from Saudi, also from Europe. So Bruno had many possibilities, but Bruno decided to stay and continue at Manchester United this season.

“Then Bruno was really disappointed to see that now it’s November, and for Man United the season looks already very complicated. So it’s not easy for Bruno to accept that.

“Since June until recent weeks, Bruno has always been, and his agents, of course, always been in conversations with Manchester United over a new deal, and no agreement. Talking, negotiating, discussing, no agreement.

“And so, at the moment, the conversations remain active; the conversations remain ongoing, but the agreement is still far away.”