Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has affirmed the club’s intention to retain skipper Bruno Fernandes, following the Portuguese midfielder’s expressed desire to remain at Old Trafford.
Despite United being open to offers for most of their first-team players to fund a squad rebuild, Fernandes is viewed as a key player, with only youngsters Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hojlund deemed untouchable. Fernandes, who has recently been linked with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, is included in the list of players potentially available for transfer, though it is believed it would require a substantial offer to tempt United into selling their talisman.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, after playing a crucial role in United’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Newcastle in the false nine position, Fernandes expressed his commitment to the club. “I will be here if the club wants me to be a part of the future,” he said. “If for some reason they don’t want me, I will go.”
🚨🚨🎙️| Erik ten Hag on Bruno Fernandes:
“Especially with the injuries around him, he has to carry the team, he keeps a high level.” pic.twitter.com/qcQXMl34BN
— centredevils. (@centredevils) May 15, 2024
Fernandes, who signed an extension in 2022, still has two years remaining on his contract, with an option to extend for an additional year. When informed of Fernandes’s comments, Ten Hag responded decisively: “Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno.”