Why Man Utd want to SELL Bruno Fernandes this summer

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 5 Apr 2023 08:53 BST
• 3 min read

Bruno Fernandes may be Manchester United's captain-in-waiting with Harry Maguire expected to leave the club this summer, but the Portuguese could also be cashed in on according to reports.

Fernandes has worn the captain's armband more often than not this season with Maguire relegated to the bench as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been paired at centre-back.

The Portuguese's attacking output has been typically reliable - especially since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in December - with 10 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, but "United also want a midfielder in the style of a No.8," David Ornstein confirmed in column for the Athletic.

READ: Bruno Fernandes 'raged' at Rashford after Man Utd defeat

Ten Hag's tactics

Fernandes is a No.10, and United's pursuit of a more bustling, box-to-box-style midfielder, is indicative of a wider tactical change Erik ten Hag is expected to enact in time for next season - the use of a midfield three.

Ten Hag won three Dutch Eredivisies in charge of Ajax - the triumph in 2019 part of a domestic treble - and did so using a 4-3-3 system. He plans to use the formation again, despite winning the EFL Cup with a 4-2-3-1 this term.

With an attacking midfielder typically sacrificed in the latter, that could spell trouble for Fernandes.

READ: 'Can't go wrong' - Man Utd legend picks favourite striker target

Fernandes' leadership abilities have also been called into question this season.

"I'm going to start with Bruno Fernandes," club legend Gary Neville said after United were thrashed 7-0 by rivals Liverpool last month. "I've had enough of him throwing his arms around at his teammates, I've had enough of him not running back. He whinges at everybody."

United have been linked with Jude Bellingham and Youri Tielemans - two midfielders who might better suit a three-man midfield - while the shift in formation could play into Scott McTominay's hands, especially after his goalscoring exploits with Scotland.

Should United cash in on Fernandes, they can expect to achieve a significant fee. The 28-year-old is valued at €76.4 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and is under contract at Old Trafford until June 2026 with an option of another year.