Manchester United could lose Bruno Fernandes in January transfer window

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has already been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old Portuguese international midfielder has been United’s best player since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in the winter transfer window, which admittedly is not a very difficult achievement.

However, he was substituted at half time during United’s 6-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the last game before the international break.

There have been stories which suggested that Fernandes was withdrawn as he laid into his teammates for yet another abysmal performance, though Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted the decision was a tactical one. Which, if you think about, is just as indefensible, as taking off your best player is rarely an effective tactical move.

United take on Newcastle United on Saturday evening and there is no indication that Fernandes will be dropped, and midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to line up again despite his own stinking efforts. To be fair to Pogba, the same could be said of the rest of the squad, so it’s nice to see them all collectively urging each other on to meet their own standards, even if they are doggerel.

Now the Sun has suggested that Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in taking Fernandes off United’s hands, which would be quite funny.

The Spanish sides have little available cash though after the impact of coronavirus and it is difficult to see how United would ask for less than around £100 million. It had been assumed that Donny Van der Beek’s arrival was a sensible way to buy a cheap replacement for Pogba ahead of time, but at this rate it looks as if they will have to get three in. One to replace Fernandes, one to replace Pogba, and another to replace the outgoing Nemanja Matic who, let’s be honest, is going to retire in a year or two.