Bruno Fernandes is indispensable to Manchester United.
That in itself underlines just how vital he is to the Red Devils, considering everything not nailed down at Old Trafford is under threat from Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s cuts.
Fernandes has been one of the best players in the Premier League since joiningGettytalkSPORT understands United will resist any offers for the 30-year-old playmaker this summer.
Al Hilal are believed to have added him to their list of high profile targets, while Real Madrid have been touted for a £90million raid.
While the United squad needs open heart surgery, to borrow a phrase from Ralf Rangnick, Fernandes is the only player to come out of this season with any credit.
“Without Bruno Fernandes this season, Manchester United would be battling to stay out of the bottom three,” talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling said on Breakfast in April.
If the three teams heading back down to the Championship at record speed had been any better, then it could have been a closer call.
The statistics speak for themselves since his £47m move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
No Premier League player has created more chances than Fernandes in that time (531).
He also is third in minutes played (16,615) and goal contribution (112 – 62 goals, 50 assists).
It has been an otherwise dismal campaign, languishing in 15th place and have not even surpassed 40 points yet – West Ham were once relegated in 2003 on 42 points.
It is already Man United’s worst ever Premier League season – their previous lowest points total was 58… they can get a maximum of 48.
Fernandes has scored seven Europa League goals to put them on the brink of the finalGettyMuch has been said about the culture around Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013 and criticism has often been aimed at Fernandes for, at times, exemplifying that.
Rangers legend Ally McCoist told talkSPORT: “He has been perhaps their only shining light this season. A lot of people have questioned him and whether he should be captain.
“I will be quite frank, some of his reactions to things are not befitting of a captain, but you cannot argue with the way he has performed and he has led by example as a captain.
“He would be a savage loss for Manchester United.
“You could make an argument that he would be better with a better quality player around him.
“With the greatest of respect to United at this time, their players haven’t been performing to the standard they should have and he’s been above it.
Since Fernandes joined United, few Premier League players can rival his impact“If these other players were performing at the same level as him, it’s natural to think that he would be better.”
Manager Ruben Amorim has had a tricky start since becoming United boss in November and his comments about Fernandes in March showed just how much the 30-year-old is key.
“No, it’s not going to happen,” Amorim said. “He’s not going anywhere because I’ve already told him.
“I want Bruno here because we want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players to continue with us. He’s 30, but he’s still so young, because he plays 55 games every season.
“Between assists and goals, he’s there for 30 at least, so he’s the type of player we want here and he’s not going anywhere.”
As dreadful as this season has been for United, they could still walk away with a trophy and Champions League football if they win the Europa League.
Fernandes has won two trophies at United, the FA Cup and League CupGettyThat would be Fernandes’ third United trophy as club captain to go along with the 285 games and 98 goals.
He has shown plenty of leadership off the field too. The Portugal international was shocked to find out free travel and accommodation was not on offer for staff for the 2024 FA Cup final.
He went to executives and offered to pay for all the usual extras out of his own pocket. His proposal however, was rejected.
It has been a tough period that will unlikely be looked at fondly by the Red Devils, but Fernandes is likely to still go down as an icon at Old Trafford.
That’s certainly what talkSPORT listeners think. In a poll earlier this year, nearly 68 per cent of people said he was a club legend who could get into any Fergie team.
So if the message isn’t clear enough for Al Hilal or Real Madrid, it’s a ‘hands off’ from Old Trafford.
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