Manchester United have started Erik ten Hag's appointment with a contract mistake

Manchester United announced Bruno Fernandes' lucrative contract extension on April 1, which safeguarded his future at the club until the summer of 2026. The decision to extend Fernandes' contract was made with Ralf Rangnick in interim charge of United.

The appointment of Erik ten Hag was announced 20 days after Fernandes' contract extension was made official. It was a baffling decision from the club to reward the player with a new deal with an interim manager in charge. It may be that Ten Hag gave the extension the green light and his blessing, but in any case United should have given him that choice upon his arrival.

Sources had indicated Ten Hag was the frontrunner for the United job throughout March and that was well before the confirmation of Fernandes' extension. There is a serious problem with player power at Old Trafford and the decision was a symptom of that.

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Fernandes has hardly vindicated his salary raise since it was announced. "The best is yet to come from myself and this team," the midfielder said after signing on the dotted line, but his performances since his contract extension have been awful.

Certain criticism of Fernandes this season hasn't been received well. He's been the driving force behind this United team since his arrival from Sporting Libson in 2020 and his talismanic displays have endeared him to supporters - he has credit in the bank. Although Fernandes had been the model of consistency, that has stopped this term. The rot in the dressing room has reached all four corners.

Fernandes is not exempt from criticism. He's been sensational for the club, but his performances have regressed this season and