Manchester United has received word from Bruno Fernandes that he is willing to remain with the team as long as there is a mutual feeling. Thus, he shares this trait with almost all other football players worldwide who are happy playing for their present team.
After a lengthy injury layoff, the midfielder was back to his best on Wednesday night, dominating the midfield in the 3-2 victory over Newcastle United. Erik ten Hag’s team continually caused difficulties for the visitors with well-placed balls over the top as they used their counterattacking strengths.
In addition to his 15 goals this season, Fernandes’ late assist for Rasmus Hojlund was his 12th assist in all competitions. Given his consistent positive impact on an otherwise disappointing team, there has been conjecture that Fernandes may be expensively sold to make room for Manchester United’s anticipated busy summer of renovations.
Given that the Portuguese player has two years left on his current contract and will turn 30 in September, there is a case to be made for United to move quickly to optimise the money they can extract from him in light of rumours of interest from Saudi Arabia and Bayern Munich.
However, since joining the team in 2020, Fernandes has also been United’s most consistently productive player. His playing style also seems to be well-suited to a smooth ageing process, which seems fitting for a man from the region that gave the world port.
After leading United to a midweek victory, Fernandes calmly responded to a question about his future on Sky Sports, saying, “The club needs to want me.”
“I have the impression that the club wants me to stay involved. I don’t want to be a player that the team doesn’t want, as I have always stated. I’ll leave if they decide they don’t want me for whatever reason. But I’ll stay if that’s what they want.”
Which is reasonable enough, don’t you think? Not everything has be some sort of cunning, subtle hint.
However, that hasn’t stopped some tabloids from calling Fernandes’ extremely rational remarks the “ultimatum.” “If they want me, I will stay” is the worst ultimatum ever, assuming that is indeed what was meant to be said.
As if the Dutchman was purposefully trying to stop Fernandes saying something contentious, others have made a fine meal out of ten Hag walking over to remove Fernandes off to join the rest of the players for the on-pitch speech the manager gave to the Old Trafford crowd.
In actuality, Ten Hag merely wanted Fernandes to be present with his teammates and would not have understood a word he said. Who knows, but it seems like individuals are deliberately creating scandal out of perfectly innocent remarks and deeds.
Ten Hag quickly declared, “Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno,” indicating that Fernandes is still part of United’s plans.
“I need to see the interview; perhaps you will read it differently, but from what I’ve heard from him, he adores Manchester United, the team’s supporters, and being a player. Despite his injuries, he always gives his all and sets an example for others.
Bruno aspires to win and adores football. That’s my assessment of his personality. His performances have me incredibly happy. Carrying the team while other players around him are injured is not an easy task.
“He maintains a good level, even a high one, particularly in the spring when he reached a very impressive level.”
