Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United will have to consider offloading Bruno Fernandes as he is ‘very indisciplined’ and one of the club’s only players who could ‘attract a significant fee’.
Fernandes was arguably United’s most consistent performer across Erik ten Hag’s turbulent reign at Old Trafford and lifted the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup with the Red Devils in that time.
And while United endured their worst ever season since the Premier League’s inception last term, Fernandes ended the campaign with a respectable tally of ten goals and eight assists, which saw him win his third Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.
Fernandes, who took over from Harry Maguire as United’s club captain in July 2023, has started strongly this season, too, racking up five goals and nine assists in all competitions.
Since Ruben Amorim’s appointment, the 30-year-old Portugal international has started each and every game for United and will undoubtedly play a key role in this weekend’s Manchester derby at the Etihad.
But according to Carragher, ‘a dilemma looms with Fernandes’ for United and Ruben Amorim given the midfielder’s age and apparent indiscipline when out of possession.
‘Fernandes has been one of United’s best players during a tough period and would have shone with more quality around him during his Old Trafford career,’ the ex-Liverpool and England defender wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
‘But he is 30 now and there may be value in offloading him to raise funds.
‘Amorim may see it differently and believe a few more years of Fernandes alongside shrewd additions will serve the team better.
‘Selling must be a consideration, however, because Fernandes is one of the few players who can attract a significant fee if profitability and sustainability rules are an issue.
‘I’ve always felt Fernandes is a great talent rather than a great player. He creates a lot of chances but can be very indisciplined with and without the ball.
‘That makes it a lot harder for United to defend as a compact unit as he chases the ball all over the pitch.
‘It looks like great commitment to the supporters but the manager will be tearing his hair out.’
Another player firmly under the microscope is Marcus Rashford, who has been a shadow of his former self over the last 18 months.
Carragher is ‘not surprised’ that Rashford is rumoured to be on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams feels it could be time for United to sell the forward if they have serious ambitions of winning major trophies.
‘Given how many signings have dropped in value since joining United, it does not surprise me that big names such as Marcus Rashford are being linked with a move,’ Carragher said.
‘United should sell him as he is not delivering value for his lucrative contract. Eleven goals in his 48 league appearances over the past 18 months is not good enough.
‘There has been too much of a pantomime around Rashford for the last few seasons, the promise he showed when breaking into the side not realised.
‘He is 27 now and should be in his prime. In a front three, Rashford is the third attacker. United will never win the Premier League or Champions League if he is leading the line.’
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