Former Premier League midfielder Danny Gabbidon has spoken on Bruno Fernandes’ recent comments about his Manchester United future.
Bruno Fernandes has recently made several damming statements about his Manchester United future, including comments in the summer. At one point, the captain said: “I was going to leave.”
Read Fernandes’ full interview here: “I was going to leave…” Every word from Bruno Fernandes’ bombshell interview as Man Utd issue response
The Portugal international also spoke about why he eventually chose to stay at Old Trafford: “The conversation with the coach also made me stay. But from the club’s side, I felt a bit of: ‘If you go, it’s not really that bad for us.’ That hurts me a little. More than hurting, it makes me sad, because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise me for.”
It now seems like Fernandes will remain at the club until the end of the season, at least, and he has been brilliant for Rúben Amorim’s side this season.
In the Premier League, the 31-year-old has scored five goals and registered seven assists, including one of each in United’s 4-4 draw against AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening.
Despite his good form, there still seems to be an uneasy feeling about Fernandes’ future at Old Trafford.
Gabbidon makes Fernandes importance claim
Former Cardiff City and West Ham United midfielder Danny Gabbidon has shared his thoughts on Fernandes’ future at Old Trafford, following the damming interviews in recent weeks.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, Gabbidon said: “It just seems like it’s one thing after another with Manchester United.
“We all know about their struggles in recent years, but this season it looks like they’re starting to improve and make strides forward. Then this comes out.
“The fact that Fernandes did that interview shows whatever happened in the summer is still affecting him a bit and hurting him a bit.”
The former midfielder continued to say: “He’s been a fantastic player for them – you wonder where Manchester United would be without him.
“You look from the club’s point of view and maybe they thought it was an opportunity to continue to rebuild their squad and get good money for him.”
Fernandes may need to go
It’s clear Fernandes is absolutely crucial for Amorim’s side, but he may need to go to fund United’s rebuild.
Gabbidon went on to say: “He’s 31, no other league would pay the numbers that the Saudi league would, so they would have seen that as a chance to recoup a lot of money and continue a rebuild – like when Philippe Coutinho left Liverpool for big money to Barcelona and they bought in the players they did.”
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“You look at Fernandes’ mentality and professionalism – the way he’s played this season off the back of that frustration hasn’t affected him at all. He’s still been United’s best player so I think that says a lot about his character.
“But, you can understand why he’d feel let down.”
It’s a difficult decision for United’s transfer team. Let Fernandes go and make good money, but lose their most important player; or keep him and sell other first-teamers to fund new signings.
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