Fernandes makes feelings clear after ex-Man Utd star proves point to Ratcliffe
Bruno Fernandes' future at Manchester United is the subject of speculation and he could suffer the same fate as former team-mate Scott McTominay, who was sold against their manager's wishes
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has sent a touching message to ex-team-mate Scott McTominay after he fired Napoli to the Serie A title. McTominay, 28, was sold by boyhood club United last summer for £25million.
Then-manager Erik ten Hag was against the move but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the rest of the Red Devils hierarchy couldn't resist Napoli's offer. McTominay has proven his doubters wrong and was named Serie A player of the season Friday after scoring in their 2-0 victory over Cagliari which sealed the Scudetto.
The midfielder's overhead kick was his 12th league goal of the season and post-match, he was given the Serie A MVP award and his 96-rated card on the game EA FC 25. Fernandes shared a photo of McTominay with the two accolades on Instagram.
"Congrats my friend," the United skipper wrote as the caption. "Resilience, discipline and determination have always been there from you! Now with confidence your qualities are shining more than ever. Enjoy your moment."
Critics claim that clubs are incentivised to sell homegrown players due to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. By selling an academy product, the club makes 'pure profit'.
The rule was something which Ten Hag alluded to when explaining McTominay's departure. "Unfortunately, it's the rules," he bemoaned following the 28-year-old's exit. "You have to discuss the rules to do sales and obviously homegrown players, academy players, bring more value.
"It's not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it's a good deal. For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli, a very good player but also for us."
The Dutchman, who was sacked in October, added: "I'm very happy for him and for us, but it's mixed [feelings] because I would have preferred not to lose him. He has Manchester United in his veins... He was so important for our team, he was at Manchester United for over 22 years."
Should Manchester United have sold Scott McTominay? Have your say in the comments section.
Amid the elation of Napoli's title win, McTominay said: "I'm lost for words. It's incredible you know, the sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause.
"The people deserve it because they've been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream."
Fernandes' own future at United is uncertain, revealing after Wednesday's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham that he'd be willing to leave Old Trafford if they wanted to 'cash in'.
"If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is. And football sometimes is like this."
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