Manchester United are heading for another overhaul this summer with Ineos running the rule over the current playing squad.
It has become apparent from reports emerging this week that Marcus Rashford is not safe from an impending Manchester United clear out.
United would consider high-priced offers for the forward, and there are very few players who are not available at any price.
The Telegraph report only Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund are truly untouchable, leaving many to draw their own conclusions about the future of other players.
That doesn’t necessarily mean everybody else will be moved on. But it has led to some speculation over the future of the club captain, Bruno Fernandes.
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What Bruno Fernandes has said about his future
Media in Bruno Fernandes’ native Portugal picked up on The Telegraph‘s report, with outlet Noticias ao Minuto reporting that from the ‘monumental’ clear out, ‘Even Bruno Fernandes and Dalot could leave’.
Fernandes is a very high profile player in his homeland, and the Manchester United captain has been asked about the speculation.
He refuses to let it distract him, with the FA Cup final and Euro 2024 ahead. He says he will address next season at Manchester United afterwards, and consider his options if it turns out he really is no longer wanted.
He says at present, he has every indication from within the club that Manchester United want him to stay put.
Fernandes told DAZN, via CNN Portugal: “I’m not thinking about other things at the moment. It doesn’t just depend on me. A player always has to want to be here, but, at the same time, they have to want him to stay here and, at the moment, I feel that on both sides.
“This season was not at the level I wanted, individually and collectively. We can end the season by winning the FA Cup, then we have the European Championship, which is very important for us.
“If I have to think about not continuing in the Premier [League], it will only be after the European Championship. Nothing will take my focus away from this end of the championship and the European Championship. There is nothing more important than that right now.”
Fernandes’ words are more to placate the Portugal fans, assuring them that no situation with his club will distract him ahead of a crucial summer for his country.
Bruno Fernandes may be safe after all
Bruno Fernandes is probably quite safe at Manchester United. A separate report in The Mirror had claimed 10 players are safe at Manchester United in the summer, not just three.
Among the names ‘guaranteed’ to stay, Bruno Fernandes was included.
Most likely, Fernandes has just been caught up in the typically rampant end of season speculation which happens whenever the team under perform.
Fernandes is Manchester United’s biggest contributor this season, with 15 goals, and 11 assists. He leads the team in both categories.
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Why Bruno Fernandes future is a valid talking point
Long term, Manchester United do need to decrease reliance on Bruno Fernandes. He is 29, but turns 30 in September.
He may have many years ahead of him, but United may have to manage him with more care, rather than relying on him to start in excess of 50 games per season, and that’s just at club level.
Amad and Mason Mount are both capable of stepping up, while Ineos may have an eye on strengthening the midfield, and helping Fernandes out.
The x-factor would the arrival of a new manager. As Cristiano Ronaldo found out when Erik ten Hag arrived, nobody is safe on reputation alone.