Captain midfielder Bruno Fernandes admitted the possibility of finding a new destination, amid rumors that Man Utd is preparing for a major overhaul, ready to sell most of the squad in the summer of 2024.
"I'm not thinking about anything else at the moment," Fernandes told DAZN Portugal on April 30. "It's clear that it's not just about me, right? A player has to want to stay, and the club has to want him to stay. Right now, I feel that on both sides."
Fernandes in an interview with DAZN Portugal. Screenshot
Man Utd have been inconsistent this season, being eliminated early in the Champions League and the League Cup. In the Premier League, they are currently sixth with 54 points after 34 matches - 13 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, so they are unlikely to make it into the top four, meaning they will miss out on a Champions League spot next season. Erik ten Hag's team will only escape empty-handed if they beat Man City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 25.
Man Utd signed Fernandes from Sporting in January 2020 for $60 million, excluding add-ons. Since then, he has been Man Utd's most consistent player, with 79 goals and 64 assists in 230 games in all competitions. This season alone, the Portuguese midfielder has 15 goals and 11 assists in 45 games.
Fernandes admitted that he has had an unsuccessful season, both as a team and as an individual. The 29-year-old midfielder wants to focus on the FA Cup final and stressed that he will only discuss his future after he has represented Portugal at Euro 2024.
"I don't think too much about the future," he said. "We can still win the FA Cup, and then I have the Euros, which is very important. So if I think about not continuing in the Premier League, it will have to wait until after the Euros. For now, I want to focus as much as possible on the FA Cup final and Euro 2024. Those are the two most important goals at the moment."
Coach Ten Hag talks with captain Bruno Fernandes during the win over Aston Villa in round 19 of the Premier League.
Fernandes' comments come just a day after billionaire Jim Ratcliffe announced plans to overhaul United when the transfer window opens. According to The Telegraph , Ratcliffe and new chief executive Omar Berrada are prepared to sell the entire squad if they receive a suitable offer, with the club almost certain to miss out on Champions League football and restricted by Premier League spending rules. Only three players - Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund - are certain to stay.
In particular, Man Utd prioritizes parting with Marcus Rashford because all the money from selling players grown from the club's training academy is considered "pure profit" and will go towards complying with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) of the Premier League. PSG - the team that can find a left-back to replace Kylian Mbappe - is one of the few clubs that can meet the $90 million fee that Man Utd wants for Rashford.
Meanwhile, BBC said that Man Utd will only part ways with Fernandes if they receive a "huge offer".
Hong Duy
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