Man Utd: Are they over-reliant on Bruno Fernandes?
Manchester United are prepared to double Bruno Fernandes’ wages at the end of the campaign, reports say. The 26-year-old struggled in his side’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. But, despite that, he’s set for a reward.
United thought about signing Fernandes in the summer transfer window of 2019.
He was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford that year but, in the end, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to recruit Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire instead.
In the end, United swooped for Fernandes half a year later - turning to the Portugal international after being rejected by Erling Haaland, who joined Borussia Dortmund.
And he’s been a huge success in the time since.
Fernandes has scored 15 Premier League goals this season while also registering 10 assists.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
He was unable to break the deadlock on Wednesday night as the Red Devils drew 0-0 with Palace, their third goalless stalemate in a row.
Yet The Sun say the Portugal international is now in line for a new contract, with the club prepared to double his wages.
The midfielder, who has also found the net seven times in other competitions for United, is currently on wages of £100,000-a-week.
But the Red Devils are now willing to double his money, moving him closer to the likes of David De Gea, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford on the pay scale.
Fernandes was given a five-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further 12 months in January 2020 upon arriving.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes was flat in Crystal Palace draw (Image: GETTY)
“For me, he seems to give the ball away far too cheaply and he's not getting as involved as I'd like.
“Whether it's down to where the manager is playing him or Ole's instructions on what he wants him to do, he just doesn't seem to be getting involved anywhere near as much as he used to.
“It's always going to be harder playing against the top teams, but that's when you want your key players to stand up and produce something magical, but sometimes I feel like United sort of wing it in those games.
“They don't really have a plan.
“Yes, they move it around and they pass the wall well but if they come up against a well-organised defence, they struggle to create anything and I don't think they have a real plan in place at times.”
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes will be closer to David De Gea and Paul Pogba on pay scale (Image: GETTY)
Trending
Solskjaer has hinted United could block Fernandes from international duty this month.
"We have not sat down and made a proper call on that one but it doesn't make sense if you lose your player for 10 days' isolation because we are the ones paying the players," he said.
"From what I understand, that [being allowed to ban players travelling] is the rule.
"FIFA have given the rule that they don't have to be released, so it is going to be a hard call to make to let them play in red-list countries.
"I want Bruno ready for Brighton and hopefully we will be through in Europe and against Tottenham after that."