Ten Hag quotes prove Bruno Fernandes will not join Real Madrid

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 11 Jan 2023 16:01 GMT
• 3 min read

Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has no intention of parting with his star midfielder.

Fernandes has been a revelation since joining Man Utd for €55 million from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, racking up 53 goals and 42 assists from 146 games in all competitions since.

Spanish and European champions Real generally play a 4-3-3 under Carlo Ancelotti, but Fernandes' profile would give them the possibility of experimenting with a No.10, and a tactical alternative as they look to overhaul Barcelona at the top of La Liga this season.

READ: Real Madrid "could return" for Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes' attacking output slowed down when his Cristiano Ronaldo was in the team, the midfielder ceding penalties and free-kicks to his compatriot, but now that Ronaldo has gone following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, Fernandes is expected to get back to his best.

Ten Hag had faith all along anyway.

"I think Bruno is playing really good this season, so I can see in that fact, he can produce more goals, assists," the Dutch tactician said earlier in the campaign.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo: What really happened with Bruno Fernandes 'snub'

'A massive role'

"But I think he's often in the line of the goal and he's playing a massive role in a lot of moments of football for us: in building up attacks, creativity, movement, but also in transitions, in both sides, in the defensive transitions he's magnificent and doing a really good job so I'm really happy with his performances."

Fernandes signed a new contract with United in April which ties him to Old Trafford until June 2026, so Real would have to at least match the €80.5m he is now rated at by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm.

Los Blancos also have other priorities in their team right now, with last season's top scorer and current Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema tearing a muscle in his thigh on the eve of the World Cup with France.