Manchester United are set to bring a difficult Premier League campaign to an end when they head to Brighton for the season finale on Sunday.
The Red Devils could mathematically finish sixth this season, but it’s unlikely considering Chelsea’s much better goal difference.
And though Manchester United are in the FA Cup final and could yet finish the season with silverware, the Old Trafford hierarchy is likely to be busy this summer to improve the squad.
Back in April, The Telegraph reported that Manchester United are prepared to listen to offers for the majority of their first-team squad this summer – apart from a few rising stars.
Only Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are off-limits, according to the report.
However, in wake of Man United’s win over Newcastle United on Wednesday, Old Trafford legend Wayne Rooney has named another player he feels needs to stay.
Who does Wayne Rooney want to keep at Manchester United?
Rooney, speaking on Sky Sports, believes Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes should stay put.
“You have to build the team around Bruno,” said Rooney, as transcribed by Optus Sport.
“He’s quality and has got fight in him, and then I think all the other players get rid of them.
“I think you keep the young players, and you keep Bruno.”
Rooney then spoke about the “massive clear out” needed at Manchester United, though he acknowledges it won’t be a straightforward job.
“I think it has to be a massive clear out,” he continued. “It has to be. It’s not going to be in one year, but I think it’s going to be in the next couple of years.
“You look at Man City when their new owners came in it took them 15 years to win the Champions League. That’s potentially what you might be looking at, you hope not.”
What have Bruno Fernandes and Erik ten Hag said about the Manchester United captain’s future at Old Trafford?
Fernandes, who has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabia.
However, speaking to Sky Sports after the Newcastle game, he said he’d like to stay put – if the club is happy to keep him.
“I feel that the club wants me to be a part of the future,” he said. “So, as I said always, I don’t want to be a player that the club doesn’t want to have.
“If for some reason they don’t want to have me, I will go, but if they want me I will stay.”
As per Sky Sports, Erik ten Hag was seen dragging Fernandes away from the interview.
The Manchester United boss then said at his post-match presser: “Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno. There’s no question, I think.
“I have to see the interview but, as far as I know, he loves Manchester United.
“He always gives his best. He’s an example – even with injuries, he’s playing. He loves football, but he wants to win.”
