Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has warned Manchester United about selling out-of-form skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United have been warned they could struggle to command a significant transfer fee for Bruno Fernandes. The club captain is enduring a difficult campaign amid growing uncertainty over his relationship with manager Michael Carrick.
Fernandes has been one of United’s most influential players since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020 for €55 million. However, his performances have come under scrutiny this season, with the 32-year-old failing to make the same impact that has often helped the club through difficult periods.
Former footballer and pundit Tony Cascarino has questioned whether any Premier League side would meet United’s valuation.
“How many Manchester United players do you think you would get £60million for? Let’s just use that as a price tag. How many from Old Trafford would you buy for that?,” he said via TEAMtalk.
“Would Bruno Fernandes go for £60m? You might from Saudi Arabia, but you wouldn’t from another Premier League team – there is no way that would happen. He’s 32, so would you pay £60m and put him on a huge wage? I would think absolutely not.
“Has he been a great player for Man United? Yes, he has. He’s had periods where he has dragged the club out of trouble with his goals and his assists.”
Cascarino nevertheless acknowledged Fernandes’ contribution to United, highlighting how he has repeatedly rescued the club through his goals and assists.
Fernandes’s rift with Carrick has led to an uncertain future
Fernandes’ relationship with Carrick has reportedly deteriorated following his public criticism of the manager’s tactics and coaching staff. The pair held crunch talks in an attempt to resolve their differences, but the talks failed to ease the growing tension.
Carrick was reportedly unhappy with Fernandes choosing to voice his concerns publicly rather than addressing them privately. The midfielder was subsequently left on the bench for the entirety of United’s 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth, which followed a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, after which Fernandes questioned the methods employed by the manager and his coaching staff.
United have won just two of their 13 matches this season and are currently 17th in the Premier League table. Fernandes has managed four goals and one assist in 12 appearances, but all four of his goal contributions in the league came in the same match against Ipswich.
His output has significantly dropped from last season, when he played a central role in United’s third-place finish and return to the Champions League, registering 21 assists.
With his current contract approaching its final stages, United now face an important decision over their captain’s future. Having previously explored an extension, the club could be increasingly open to a sale. As Cascarino’s warning suggests, however, finding a buyer willing to meet their financial expectations will prove difficult.