Bruno Fernandes is reportedly gearing up to make the upcoming FA Cup final his farewell match for Manchester United. The 29-year-old midfielder, who has been a key figure at Old Trafford for the past four years since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, is rumored to be considering a summer departure.
Known as one of Erik ten Hag’s trusted players, the Portugal international is believed to view the FA Cup final against Manchester City as his “final dance” for the Red Devils.
Fernandes, who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for a deal worth £55 million, is currently in his fifth season at the club.
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He has been a prolific performer, scoring 79 goals and providing 62 assists in 230 games. The Portuguese midfielder signed a new contract in April 2022, which could keep him at Old Trafford until 2027.
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Fernandes surprised Manchester United earlier this month by suggesting that he might leave after the Euros for a new challenge. At 29, the Portuguese playmaker could opt to extend his career in a less demanding league with sunnier weather than the Premier League offers.
There is expected to be no shortage of interested clubs, particularly from Saudi Arabia. Fernandes, who missed recent matches due to injury, is reportedly drawing interest from Saudi clubs, along with his teammate Casemiro according to The Sun.
Al-Nassr, managed by Cristiano Ronaldo, are rumored to be the front-runners for Casemiro, while Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are eyeing Fernandes.
INEOS, the club’s owners, are anticipated to entertain offers for several players under Ten Hag’s management, except for a few exceptions.
Despite his injury concerns, Fernandes is working towards regaining fitness for Manchester United’s crucial matches as they aim to secure a European spot, currently three points behind Newcastle United and Chelsea.
United’s remaining Premier League matches include a visit to Brighton and a challenging trip to Wembley for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
Fernandes, widely considered as one of the best signings for Manchester United since the era of Sir Alex Ferguson, could potentially make the FA Cup final his last appearance for the club.
Manchester United reportedly have no immediate plans to let Bruno Fernandes leave the club this summer, viewing him as an integral part of their plans for the upcoming season.
Despite recent speculation about his future, Fernandes has expressed his focus on the present, he told DAZN Portugal last week.
“I’m not thinking about other things at the moment,” He said.
“Obviously, it doesn’t just depend on me, does it? A player always has to want to be here, but at the same time, you have to want him to stay. At the moment, I feel there’s that on both sides.
“I’m not thinking too much about the future, not least because, obviously, this season hasn’t been at the level I’d hoped for, either individually or collectively, so far,” he explained.
“We could still end the season by winning the [FA] Cup. After that, we have a very important Euros coming up.
“So, if you want me to be very honest, if I have to think about not continuing in the Premier League, it won’t be until after the Euros because nothing will be able to take my focus away from the FA Cup final and the Euros, as there’s nothing more important than that at the moment.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that Bruno Fernandes is among the few players who will hold underperforming stars at Old Trafford accountable following the team’s 14th league defeat of the season.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Ferdinand said, “I know that Bruno points out things and pulls young players in. Whether you think he does it in the right way when he is on the pitch and might be too animated for some people.”
“But I look at the last two games that United have played and they haven’t been good enough, he is a big miss to that team.
“He creates chances and makes other players look good. But he would be the one that would be pulling people and talking to people.”
Source: The Sun
