Would Manchester United Be Better Off Without Bruno Fernandes?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates during the Premier ... [+] League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on May 15, 2024 in Manchester, England.(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

It was no coincidence that with Bruno Fernandes back in the team, Manchester United played its best match in weeks against Newcastle United. The Portuguese midfielder was at the heart of everything Erik ten Hag’s team did well as the Old Trafford outfit brought its dismal run of form to an end with a much-needed 3-2 win.

This game came against a backdrop of speculation about Fernandes’ future. Reports claim Manchester United met with the 29-year-old to roadmap the next few years of his career with some suggesting Fernandes could be on his way out of Old Trafford with the club facing a pivotal summer transfer window.

“I will be here if the club wants me to be a part of the future,” said Fernandes after the victory over Newcastle on Wednesday, addressing the talk about his future as a Manchester United player. “If for some reason they don’t want me, I will go.” As things stand, it appears United want Fernandes to remain for the start of next season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United in action during the Premier ... [+] League match between Manchester United and Burnley FC at Old Trafford on April 27, 2024 in Manchester, England.(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

There is, however, an argument that the sale of Fernandes would accelerate the development of Manchester United as a team. Financial Fair Play (FFP) pressures and the Premier Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR Invesco Active U.S. Real Estate ETF ) will make it difficult for the club to spend big this summer and so the money from Fernandes’ transfer could be used to strengthen other areas of the squad.

The departure of Fernandes, however, would likely leave Manchester United’s midfield devoid of creativity. The Portuguese midfielder has played for a struggling team this season that could finish as low as eighth in the table, yet he has still managed to contribute 10 goals and eight assists over the course of the campaign.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Manchester United manager Eric Ten Hag speaks to Bruno Fernandes during ... [+] the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Coventry City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on April 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Fernandes is the only signing made by Manchester United to have truly delivered. In the past, there have been concerns over the Portuguese player’s ability to fit into a coherent, proactive team structure, but Fernandes’ attacking quality makes him one of the best in his position in the Premier League.

Manchester United has some difficult decisions to make this summer. Several members of the club’s squad need cleared out. It’s not guaranteed that ten Hag will keep his position as manager following a difficult season. United is entitled to consider Fernandes’ future too, but the Old Trafford outfit must build around the Portuguese rather than show him the way out.