Manchester United told Bruno Fernandes sale “wouldn’t be a disaster” due to one reason

Manchester United have been urged by former Premier League defender Bacary Sagna to sell Bruno Fernandes if it means their youth system can continue to flourish.

Sagna, who made 267 Premier League appearances across ten seasons playing for Arsenal and Manchester City, recently discussed Fernandes’ future with CoinPoker.

Fernandes, who signed for United in the winter of 2020, has remained one of the Red Devils’ best players throughout the last four years.

Delivering on several occasions, the Portuguese midfielder played a key role this season as Erik ten Hag’s side went on to lift the FA Cup.

In that cup run, Fernandes would assist or score in both the semi-finals and the final, picking up a goal contribution at every round bar the quarter-final.

Yet, in the weeks since, rumours have emerged that this season may have been the United captain’s last at the club, something Sagna believes would not be as bad as it may seem on the surface.

“If Manchester United were to sell Bruno Fernandes, I don’t think it would be a massive disaster,” Sagna proclaimed. “Fernandes is a great player, but I think Manchester United needs a complete reset if they are going to be successful in the future.

“There are some very talented young players at the club who Manchester United should build their team around. Garnacho, Mainoo and Højlund are wonderful prospects.

“Manchester United’s leadership need to look to the future; these are the players that can form the spine of the team for the next ten years. Manchester United have a history of giving young talent an opportunity. That is in the DNA of the club.

“It’s never a disaster when a player moves on. There will always be players that come in and replace them. There are a lot of brilliant young players who could come into Manchester United and make the difference.‌

Expanding on where Sagna believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos should look to recruit from, the 2013/14 FA Cup Winner suggested that United may want to turn to a familiar market in Ligue 1.

“In France, a market that Jim Ratcliffe should know because of his involvement in Nice, there are several prospects who are ready to play for a big club like Manchester United,” Sagna stated. “Kobbie Mainoo was given an opportunity to express himself and he grabbed it with both hands.”

Praising Mainoo further, Sagna would claim that he is the example that the Red Devils should look to follow – this being, elevating youth players, even if it comes at the expense of current members of the senior team.

“I was pleased to see him [Mainoo] breakthrough this season,” Sagna admitted. “I was pleased to see him given an opportunity over the more experienced Christian Eriksen. Sometimes you need to give the next generation an opportunity to flourish, and if that means players like Bruno Fernandes need to move on, then so be it.

‌“There are probably a number of other prospects in the academy that are ready to step into the first team, they just need an opportunity to show the fans what they can do.”