Online Reporter
THIS looks like the beginning of the end for Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
As if Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim did not have enough on his plate, his problems are now overflowing.
There is chaos on the pitch — witnessed again in Monday night’s 4-4 rollercoaster ride against Bournemouth — and plenty off it, too.
The fact that Fernandes’ bombshell interview was conducted last month has done nothing to soften its impact. Fernandes, 31, claimed he was “more than hurt” that United wanted to sell him.
Red Devils chiefs have stressed it was made clear to the playmaker in the summer he was a key member of their squad.
And the club stated there is no desire to sell the Portugal international — contrary to what the player had said. Fernandes’ comments were not dissimilar to what he said when we interviewed him at United’s training complex in October on the eve of his 300th appearance for them.
He explained United would not “say no (to Al-Hilal’s offer) but obviously we want you to stay at the club”.
He added: “But if you want to go, we won’t say that it’s not a good offer for us, because it’s massive money.”
Around a month later, during his sit-down with Canal 11 that was organised by the Portuguese FA, Fernandes said: “The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head.”
That clear contradiction makes for an exhausting start to a week that began with the whirlwind draw at Old Trafford.
Speaking in his native tongue, Fernandes was more explicit in expressing his emotions.
His English is word-perfect and the majority of those 32 minutes SunSport had with him on October 24 were dominated by Al-Hilal’s interest.
United had to be open-minded about cashing in. There was an offer of £100million on the table for a 30-year-old, at the end of a season where the club had failed to qualify for Europe.
The Prem’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules have put the squeeze on a club who are notoriously bad sellers.
United could have received a higher fee for Fernandes than the £80m they banked for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
Had Fernandes been sold, United would have also reinforced their midfield, which is already creaking before the halfway stage this season.
Bruno Fernandes’ importance
Yet Fernandes is more influential now than when he joined United in 2020. He has started all 16 Prem games this term, scoring five goals and creating seven.
Beyond the numbers, he has captained the club for the past three years.
Take him out of that side and who is the outstanding leader? There is not one, even with a new leadership group assembled.
It is not an overstatement to mention Fernandes in the same breath as Bryan Robson, a legendary leader during United’s spell of underachievement in the 1980s.
Fernandes is consistent in stating that Amorim urged him to stay.
Amorim has leant on his compatriot and captain since he left Lisbon for Manchester and the attacking midfielder was the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the fourth time last season.
Fernandes’ ‘hurt’
Only Ronaldo and David de Gea have won it that many times.
The “hurt” Fernandes has expressed is new. The only “hurt” he has shown since conducting that interview was when he vented at Casemiro on the pitch at full-time after United threw it away again in Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
The Portuguese star has an agreement with United that — if he were to leave next year — he can do so for £57m. But only to an overseas club.
Back in October, Fernandes admitted it was possible he could have a decision to make on his future after the World Cup.
His United deal runs until 2027, with the option of an additional season.
If United fail to qualify for Europe again, next year would be a natural time to part ways − Sun.
