Man Utd pick Fernandes replacement after bid and hint amid Amorim's statement

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Bruno Fernandes is mulling over a mammoth offer from Saudi Arabia whilst Manchester United could also benefit financially but Ruben Amorim has made his view very clear
Bruno Fernandes' days as a Manchester United player could be numbered with Al-Hilal offering huge sums to lure the player to Saudi Arabia. The skipper has excelled since the appointment of Ruben Amorim, but a move is not out of the question.
Around £100million could come United's way if they choose to cash in, whilst the player himself could land weekly sums of £700,000. The Saudi outfit want to add a star name to their squad before the Club World Cup this month - and will spend big to do so.
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Their interest in Fernandes has been ongoing and it leaves the player and his club with a decision to make. Amid the need for a rebuild, Unitedr could massively benefit from the cash injection.
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Fernandes will also turn 31 later this year and there continues to be question marks over whether he truly fits into Amorim 's system once he gets the players he wants.
His output this season has been sensational, albeit largely in a losing effort. United have endured a dire campaign and they missed out on Europe when they were beaten in the Europa League final. That has placed even more strain on the club's financial situation.
However Amorim has told United chiefs to find other ways of making money rather than selling their star man, despite the player himself seriously considering the offer he has in front of him.
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Amorim claims, through conversations with Fernandes, that the Portugal star wants to stay put. He said: "Of course I am the manager, the coach, but sometimes it is the decision of the player, but of course I talk with him, I explain things and I just have that feeling. When you talk to someone, you have that feeling if he wants to stay.
"Of course in a lot of games this season he was so frustrated, but he knows what we are doing. The feeling that I have every time I speak to him is he wants to continue for sure at Man Utd. But you never know."
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Fernandes has been spotted dining with Portugal pal Joao Cancelo - who has been dubbed a "secret agent" by fans as the former Manchester City full-back looks to convince the United star to join him at Al-Hilal, where fellow Portugal international Ruben Neves is also in the squad.
Would Fernandes really go?
Well his agent Miguel Pinho has been in Riyadh for talks with senior Al Hilal individuals and those in Saudi see it as a positive sign that discussions have been held.
Paul Scholes is among those who admits the sort of sums being offered cannot be turned down. He admitted: "When you're getting £100m for him you snap their hand off and take it.'
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Fernandes has admitted he would leave Old Trafford if United decided it was in their best interests 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,' he said. 'And football sometimes is like this. I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go."
His social media activity has also served to fuel the rumour mill. He recently posted a Portuguese quote on his social media account which translates to: 'If you tried and failed, congratulations! There are people who don't even try.'
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Can Man Utd find a replacement?
Well they are are lining up Sporting Lisbon's attacking midfielder Pedro Goncalves as the man to fill the void that could be left by Fernandes. The Red Devils would have the finances to meet Sporting's £70m valuation of Goncalves if they do cash in.
Goncalves plays in a more advanced role than Fernandes after Amorim transformed him into a potent attacking midfielder throughout their time together in Portugal. He can also play out wide, which gives the team more versatility.
The £100m they would receive would also help them improve other areas of the pitch. Meanwhile the £62.5m capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves goes someway to replacing the goals and assists provided by Fernandes - and there's an argument that the Brazilian better suits the 3-4-3 system in Manchester.