With Manchester United reportedly vulnerable to losing Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils cannot afford to lose their Portuguese midfield general ahead of next season
Manchester United's shakey foundations would be lying in a big red heap were it not for Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils' captain is one of the few players Erik ten Hag can hang his flat cap on. United may look like they're built around him, but he is the one who has held them all up since he took over the captaincy from Harry Maguire.
Similarly to his predecessor, Fernandes was United's lightning rod for criticism. Yet, he did not hide. He did not throw the towel in and he did not moan, whether on camera or to his agent.
Recently, Paris Saint-Germain, who have already courted Marcus Rashford, were linked with a move for the Portuguese midfielder, who has been one of the few genuinely successful signings of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Even with a new crop of young talent beginning to creep into the ranks, United cannot allow him to leave.
A new era is seemingly being built at United with the arrivals of 18-year-old central defender Leny Yoro and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, 23. Fernandes was one of the few senior United players who pulled their weight last season.
Rashford endured a difficult season on and off the pitch, Casemiro constantly looked swamped, Andre Onana struggled to perform consistently and United's best players were all teenagers. The experienced heads were being carried by Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Scott McTominay popped up with some vital goals and always looks to have the bit between his teeth, but Ten Hag does not appear to know if his best skills are scoring goals or stopping them at source. The likes of Roy Keane slammed the decision to hand Fernandes the captaincy, stating he is not fit to wear the armband.
It's easy to say that. It's harder to pick another captain in a team with so few leaders. Yes, Fernandes has a tendency to moan at referees and throw his arms up in the air - maybe he should consider screaming in their faces like Keane?
Armband or not, Fernandes is one of the few genuine leaders United possess. He's only missed one match through injury since his arrival in 2020 and is rarely rested. He is always making himself available for a pass and is not afraid to bring the team forward when they are under the cosh.
In May, when the rumours of PSG's purported interest reared their head, Fernandes said: "The club needs to want me. I feel the club wants me to be a part of the future. As I said always, I don't want to be a player that the club doesn't want to have. If for some reason they don't want to have me, I will go. But if they want me, I will stay.
"I am no different from anyone just because I have the armband. I always try my best and we always do the best we can for the club - nobody hides that we play for a big club and we have to lift our standards every game."
Fernandes was exceptional in United's FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City. He and Mainoo dragged the team forward on several occasions and fought for every tackle against Pep Guardiola's side.
It was said that Garnacho, Mainoo and Hojlund are the only players United deemed untouchable ahead of this summer transfer window. Yet, Fernandes has to be added to that list. United are building for the future, but they cannot negate the present by disregarding Fernandes.
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