MANCHESTER UNITED are set to be offered a second chance to make what would be the right decision — selling Bruno Fernandes.
But the fear of creating instability just as Ruben Amorim has got things back on track — and the impact on fans — suggests they will bottle the big call.
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Fernandes is more than just the Red Devils’ captain — he is also their best player AND the glue that binds the dressing room together.
No wonder so many supporters and team-mates celebrated when the Portuguese midfielder turned his back on the £60million-a-year, five-year deal from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in June and committed himself to Old Trafford.
Fernandes remains the heartbeat of the squad, a role he carries out with diligence and duty.
But with boss Amorim having spent £127.5m to buy two starters who will fill Bruno’s best position, it has forced him into a deeper role that fits him like boots three sizes too small.
If the 30-year-old did go to current suitors Al-Nassr, it would offer a chance to make Amorim’s rebuild even more permanent.
In truth, it might have been better for everyone if Fernandes had packed his bags earlier this summer following Al-Hilal’s £100m bid.
But while the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool would not hesitate to do a deal that makes sense on a commercial and sporting level, United seem far less able to be bold.
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Fernandes was outstanding in the first game of their Premier League Summer Series, the 2-1 win over West Ham in New Jersey last Sunday.
He converted their fifth-minute penalty opener, curled in the second and linked up with £62.5m new recruit Matheus Cunha.
It was Fernandes at his best, playing as one of the two attackers behind the No 9, getting on the ball in the areas where he could cause problems and revelling in the responsibility.
Behind the scenes, too, as Amorim’s new approach appears to be bearing fruit, the skipper has been integral.
Fernandes and Harry Maguire are viewed as leaders and key influencers, with the Portugal international a social butterfly who can bond and interact with all the players and other club staff.
But even though United were far too good for Bournemouth in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory in Chicago, Fernandes’ return to a deeper role signalled issues that may become hard to control.
In signing Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and targeting RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Amorim has made clear that he envisages a new £200m attacking trident.
That means Fernandes will have to play as one of the two deeper midfielders in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 wing-back system.
A position where his attacking instincts, the things that make him stand out, will have to be tempered, to avoid leaving the other central midfielder, either Manuel Ugarte or the experienced-but-leg-weary Casemiro, horribly exposed.
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Amorim recognises he may be taking out some of his captain’s effectiveness. But he said: “I really like when Bruno has the ball.
“Last year I felt that sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and then we missed Bruno near the box.
“But we miss Bruno sometimes when he’s playing as a No 10 but there are times when he’s playing there and can’t get the ball.
“He runs a lot and has a lot of endurance. He’s smart and ready for the physicality, playing deep or as a midfielder.”
Fernandes is a goalscorer and a goal threat. He will not be as effective from deeper.
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Alternatively, his desire to get forward and impact the game could result in a lack of positional discipline, a flaw which opposing managers will swiftly jump on.
Amorim tried to paint a different picture, arguing that with his side now having more thrust and dynamism going forward: “If you have a player with the quality of Bruno, without pressure on the ball, it gives us more options.”
Yet if United had banked Al-Hilal’s £100m — and Al-Nassr may bideven more — they might have landed a more natural and defence-minded option to fill the void. Round pegs, round holes.
Amorim’s system relies on wing-backs providing width but the danger is them being caught out of defensive position, with the onus on the central midfielders to cover any shortcomings.
That is not Fernandes’ prime asset.
Had he chosen Saudi in June, it would have left broken hearts.
Doing it now might cause despair.
Yet, perhaps, getting cash to spend would be better for the club — presuming they use it wisely.
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