Man Utd’s ‘most consistent star’ facing unceremonious axing with new manager tipped to bin him off
Manchester United’s next manager may well find it a struggle to accommodate one of the team’s luxury players in the side next season, Rio Ferdinand fears.
United are in the process of interviewing for a new manager in what will be the one of the most important appointments in their history. With the Red Devils seeking a fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement, the manager will do so with a mission to take United back to the summit of the English and European game.
The club seemingly have four main contenders, though one of those is now out of running to leave a three-man race.
Whowever the new coach will be, Ferdinand fears the clock may well be ticking for star man Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal star has been the best and most important player at Manchester United since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020. Indeed, Fernandes has 49 goals in 117 matches for the club – a formidable record for a midfielder.
There have been times during his 26 months at the club that Fernandes has carried United. Indeed, it’s safe to say he’s paid back United’s £47m investment and then some during his time at Old Trafford.
And even though his performances have dipped a little this season, Fernandes has still managed a respectable nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances. He also has six assists to his name.
However, interim manager Ralf Rangnick wants to deploy a more industrious side at United. Known as the Godfather of the Gengenpress, Rangnick will continue having a major say at United even after he steps down as manager this summer.
Talks ongoing over a new Man Utd deal
In fact, his influence will continue being felt by whoever comes in as the next manager. Furthermore, in his consultancy role, he will also have a big say not just on the team’s style of play, but also on their transfer targets.
However, Ferdinand thinks United may well decide against offering him a payrise and may instead show him the door.
And with that in mind, Ferdinand feels United’s most consistent star may have his cards marked.
“The last two years before this year he’s carried the team on his back,” said Ferdinand.
“There’s been nobody more consistent than him, maybe David de Gea at a push. He’s being rewarded. How many players are we seeing leave on a free transfer? Pogba… are we going to allow Bruno to leave on a free transfer?
“They might sign him on this new contract and then sell him in a year. You never know because the new manager might come in and say he isn’t for me. But at least they’ve got him tied down. He can’t sit there for another couple of years and go ‘oh I’m just going to sit here and wait to go on a free’.”
Strange situation for Bruno Fernandes
“That’s where I agree – is there dialogue with the person coming in that we don’t know about. Do they want Bruno locked down? That could be a funny one. What if the new manager comes in and doesn’t want him? What they will say is we’ve got him tied to a contract and we want top dollar to take him. That’s the difference – if he’s on a new contract.
“I think there will be big clubs in for him. When Bruno is on it he scores goals. There’s been nobody during his time at Man United with more goal involvements.
“There’s a risk with the way Bruno Fernandes plays. But what I would say is if he’s in a team that is set-up to not allow counter-attacks once he’s in posession of the ball then you’ve got a good problem.
“I’ll take the times he’s going to give it away because I know he’s going to get one of those in a game on a sixpence for someone like Cristiano [Ronaldo].”
Meanwhile, another pundit has criticised Fernandes further by suggesting an Arsenal equivalent is a far superior player.
The post Man Utd’s ‘most consistent star’ facing unceremonious axing with new manager tipped to bin him off appeared first on TEAMtalk.