Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has ranked the Portugal international above Florian Wirtz and Cole Palmer
Bruno Fernandes is aiming to get Manchester United back into the Champions League
Bruno Fernandes is aiming to get Manchester United back into the Champions League
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Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has ranked Bruno Fernandes ahead of Florian Wirtz and Cole Palmer when asked to order the trio based on quality.
The Manchester United captain has continued to perform impressively despite a challenging few seasons for the club overall. Last season, he scored eight goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League, while also netting seven times during United’s run to the Europa League final.
Fernandes has occasionally faced criticism for his emotional reactions and leadership style since taking the armband at Old Trafford, but his numbers speak for themselves.
Xhaka — who experienced similar scrutiny over his temperament during his Arsenal days — clearly holds Fernandes in high regard. Speaking to Sky Sports, the new Black Cats skipper was asked to rank Fernandes, Chelsea star Palmer and Liverpool’s £116 million signing Wirtz.
“Fernandes has already shown for many, many years what he can do,” Xhaka said. “His numbers are unbelievable, and I have a lot of respect for him. I will put Bruno first.”
Fernandes has been linked with a move away from United in recent transfer windows. Over the summer, he reportedly had the opportunity to join a Saudi Arabian club on a lucrative deal but turned down the move to stay at Old Trafford.
Amid renewed speculation surrounding a potential Saudi takeover of Manchester United, the 31-year-old addressed his future during the current international break.
“I didn’t close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup,” he said. “That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That’s all there is to it.”
When asked further about the Saudi interest, Fernandes added:
“That’s an impossible scenario to imagine, because it’s nothing that’s been discussed with me.”
Palmer has been among the Premier League’s standout performers over the past two seasons but is currently sidelined through injury.
Meanwhile, Wirtz, who joined Liverpool for a then-British record fee, has struggled to replicate his Bayer Leverkusen and Germany form in England. The 21-year-old is yet to record a goal or assist in seven Premier League appearances.
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