Former Man Utd assistant says the Red Devils would be ‘right above the drop zone’ without Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United have been reminded they really need to keep their captain and star player Bruno Fernandes for next season’s Champions League run.
United clinched a spot in Europe after a thrilling 3-2 win over their big rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford earlier this month. This success has boosted Michael Carrick’s chances of becoming the permanent manager.
Fernandes has been key to United’s comeback under Carrick, scoring eight goals and providing 19 assists in the Premier League this season. His great performances even won him the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.
Last summer, United could have sold Fernandes for £100 million to a Saudi Pro League club, but both the player and club agreed he should stay. This decision paid off, with Champions League football bringing in around £60 million more for the club.
However, there might be fresh interest in the 31-year-old this summer. He has one year left on his contract with an option for another, and a release clause of about £57 million that only clubs outside England can trigger. This could lead to a bidding war for Fernandes.
Rene Meulensteen, who worked with Sir Alex Ferguson at United, says the club must do everything to keep Fernandes and have him lead the team back into Europe next season.
“You have to think about both sides,” Meulensteen said. “£100 million is a huge amount of money, and if the club says they don’t have much money, that’s tempting. But Bruno is by far United’s most important player. Without his goals and assists, the team would be close to the relegation zone.
“He’s been fantastic, even when the team wasn’t playing well. Michael has helped him thrive, and I’m sure Bruno enjoys his football more now because he’s a real winner. Sometimes he gets a bit frustrated, but that’s just because he wants to win so badly.
“If I were Michael, I’d definitely try to keep him because he’s responsible for over 20 goals. The new players have done well, but Bruno is still on a different level.”
Some former United stars—like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville—have questioned whether Carrick is the right long-term manager, despite his good record of 10 wins, two losses, and three draws in 15 games since January.
Keane and Carrick’s wife Lisa have even exchanged harsh words before, adding tension to the criticism around Carrick. Meulensteen said such criticism only matters if it’s fair and not just personal.
“If someone doesn’t like someone else, their criticism isn’t worth much,” Meulensteen said. “Roy has said Michael might not be the man to lead United forward, but Michael’s done a great job so far and proven him wrong. The criticism might be about whether Carrick has done enough to get United challenging for titles again.
“But I don’t think Michael will let it bother him. You have to look at whether criticism is fair and meant to help, or if it’s just personal. Only fair criticism counts.”
Meulensteen believes Carrick has done everything expected of him, especially by securing Champions League football and improving the team’s style of play.
“I think he’s achieved both,” Meulensteen said, “which couldn’t have been easy.”