Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between United and Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes may have played his final game for Manchester United with Al-Hilal looking to wrap up a deal for the Reds' captain
(Image: Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes has been given until the end of the week to consider an offer to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, in a move that could net Manchester United £100m and the player a cool £700k-per-week - and fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section are torn on whether they should fight to keep Fernandes or not.
Fernandes ranks amongst the best signings of the post-Ferguson era at United, often being the one to make things happen on the pitch when those around him can't. The club publicly say that the Portugal international will be at Old Trafford next season, but adding £100m to the coffers from the sale of one player to continue Ruben Amorim's rebuild would be nothing to sniff at.
Al-Hilal are eager to make a splash at the revamped Club World Cup in a few weeks - a good opportunity to show the world how far their recent big-money investments can take them. Adding Fernandes to a team that already sports Portugal teammates Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo would be a show of force.
United were reportedly willing to spend £100 million this summer, with any more funding coming through player sales. Matheus Cunha's arrival for £62.5m is a big chunk of that initial outlay, and Amorim would ideally get more work done this transfer window.
Of all of the sales that United could potentially do this summer, this will be one of the most contentious. Reader Cheethamhills says: "Bruno and the club should take the deal. It's generational wealth for Bruno and his family, and at his age it's 'now or never' for the club, the deal would be too good to refuse. Decent player while at Utd, but he isn't the captain needed to lead Utd forward."
Commenter Justonejarvo writes: "Bruno has earned the right to make the call and whatever he decides, he deserves respect and admiration for the past few years especially. If he goes, I feel like money-wise it's going to be the absolute best opportunity to attract a premium price, and premium pricing isn't something we've had since Ronaldo in 2009 really. We've nearly always operated on a loss minus Dan James.
"I think the call has to be Premier League proven attacking midfielders though, if Bruno does go - we should be looking at possibly two people whether he leaves or not, Eze and Mbuemo. I think even Hojlund will find it hard not to score with Cunha and one of those two just behind him!"
Kevmal says: "Bruno deserves to go out on a high. Why not take the bumper 3 year contract, it's not like he is going to win anything major with Utd in the next few years. He has been a workhorse for Utd since he arrived, and he's watched all these little primadonnas come and go, doing nothing for the club. I'm a big Utd fan and would happy to see Bruno end his career with this bumper contract. Be sorry to see him go but he deserves it."
Not everyone thinks that United will be a better team without Bruno. Realperson writes: "At 30, £100 million is a good price to get for Fernandes, but we’d find it difficult to replace him. Fernandes and Garnacho are our two most resilient players who can play every game without injury. It looks like we’re selling both."
Utd4me says: "If Utd lose Bruno, championship football is incoming. He is the sole reason Utd stayed up last season. Heaven and earth must be moved to keep him if at all possible." Tedhead48 agrees: "Without Bruno this season we would have been relegated. If we got 100 million for him, who is available who is as influential to the team as he is? Think we should keep him at all costs."
Have your say! Is Bruno Fernandes unsellable - or would the transfer fee transform Manchester United? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.