When reports emerged a few weeks ago suggesting that only a handful of players are safe from the chop at Manchester United, it was no surprise to see one particular name on the list of survivors.
It’s not often the word ‘irreplaceable’ can be used with a degree of authenticity. But this certainly feels like one of those rare occasions.
How on earth do you move on without a man who frequently tops the charts in terms of chance creation? A man who, despite not even playing as a centre-forward, has hit double figures in every single one of his Manchester United seasons, and finished as the second-highest goalscorer in Erik ten Hag‘s squad last term.
A man who provided that assist in the FA Cup final. A pass so supremely well-weighted and unexpected that it sent even the cameraman off balance.
How do you replace Bruno Fernandes? Well, that might be a question Man United are forced to answer soon enough.
Manchester United captain wanted by Saudi Arabia
It would surely take only astronomical offers to convince the Red Devils to cash in on their Portuguese ‘Magnifico’. But astronomical offers are what the Saudi Pro League specialises in.
According to Caught Offside, Al Nassr will look to test Man United’s resolve with a bid that would make Fernandes the most expensive sale in the club’s history, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo‘s £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009.
The report says that Ronaldo’s current employers ‘seriously considering’ a bid of nearly £130 million.
If there is one member of the Man United squad who’s head would take some turning, however, its the man who captained Erik ten Hag’s side to Wembley glory a week ago and penned an emotional, heartfelt love letter to the fans in the Player’s Tribune a few days earlier.
Fabrizio Romano reported back in July 2023 that Fernandes had ‘rejected more than two approaches’ from the Saudi Pro League last summer. Despite new claims suggesting that his agent is holding court with some of the biggest clubs on the continent – Bayern Munich are reportedly very interested indeed – the feeling is that Fernandes’ first choice would be to stay put and help guide Man United back to the top of the footballing summit.
Will Bruno Fernandes re-unite with Cristiano Ronaldo?
Speaking to A Bola back in March, the £47 million signing from Sporting Lisbon opened up on his discussions with Ineos, brighter days surely on the horizon under the ambitious Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“I’ve always told the club that I don’t want to be promised that we’re going to be champions because whatever club I go to, I don’t expect to be promised something that they can’t fulfil from the start,” Fernandes said.
“What I’ve always asked for and what I want from the club is for us to be competitive. This year we haven’t been and we don’t have to hide it. The season has been below our expectations, below my expectations, at least.
“And I think the club’s too, because they’re not used to being in these positions. I want to be competitive, I want to compete, I want to win.
I’ve already had a meeting with the new owners,” the skipper added. “They want to meet with the players and have already done so individually, and that was exactly the message I sent.
“I want to stay here. I want to be part of a project that has feet, legs, torso and head, everything that is needed so that we can compete with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, which are the clubs that have been in the best shape.”