Manchester United won against Newcastle to secure a much-needed victory. But that did not stop the chatter about players’ futures at the club.
It was the team’s final home match of the season, which mean players with expiring deals, Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane waved goodbye to the crowd.
Manchester United club legend and record goalscorer Wayne Rooney was quizzed on Sky Sports who he would keep, and who he would let go.
Rooney was ruthless, indicating he would happily ditch most of the Manchester United squad, but there was one player he wanted to build around.
Wayne Rooney picks out Bruno Fernandes
Wayne Rooney spoke to Sky Sports after Manchester United’s win, and he made the point that Bruno Fernandes was the only player he would fight to keep.
Rooney said: “He is the one player with quality, he has got fight in him. The young players, then all the other players I’d get rid of them.
“I’d keep the young players and Bruno, and then there has to be a massive clear out. There has to be.”
Rooney made clear that he was not advocating getting rid of every other player this summer, indicating it would be a more gradual yet still large-scale re-build.
“It’s not going to be one year, but I think it’s going to be over the next couple of years.”
Rooney emphasised his ruthless approach, with his words discussing two of United’s more reliable performers this season, Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire.
“Dalot’s done well, Harry Maguire’s had an in and out season, but to compete they need better players.
“To compete with Man City, with Liverpool, with Arsenal, they need better players.”
Bruno Fernandes is set to stay
Bruno Fernandes is 29 and Manchester United have full intention to keep him at the club despite interest from abroad.
He is the club captain, although, longer term, he might find himself phased out too. With Rooney pointing out it will take two years for Ineos to really clear the team out, Fernandes will then be 31. Will he still warrant a place then?
For now, United need him. He created five goalscoring chances in Manchester United’s win over Newcastle, providing the assist for Rasmus Hojlund to score.
He missed the last two games against Arsenal and Crystal Palace, and the team managed just four shots on target across 180 minutes.
