Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia but Teddy Sheringham believes he has to stay at the club
Man United have been urged to keep Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United have been urged to keep Bruno Fernandes(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United treble winner Teddy Sheringham has issued a demand calling on Bruno Fernandes to remain at the club.
The United captain has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, as well as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Despite speculation surrounding his future, the 31-year-old has repeatedly been the hero for United - becoming a vital player for several managers.
Fernandes has five goals and nine assists in the Premier League this term with Michael Carrick installed as the interim head coach tasked with steering the club back into Europe. Following their 2-0 win over Manchester City, United are in a good position ahead of the second half of the campaign as they sit just one point behind Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Reports from ESPN emerged on Wednesday surrounding Fernandes' future with United reportedly plotting contract extension talks ahead of the World Cup, held in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Sheringham believes United have to do all in their power to keep the Portugal international but conceded that if a lucrative offer was tabled, it would be hard to turn down.
He exclusively told the Manchester Evening News, via BetMGM: “Well, you've got to weigh up the situation. You've got see how old he is, at the moment he's firing on all cylinders and still playing great football.
"So I wouldn't want to be losing too many players from Manchester United that are playing at the top of their game. So he'd be one that I'd want to keep.
"But again, if they get offered silly money from Saudi, then you've got to look at it because you can. You can revamp your team with a lot of money.
“He's probably been the top performer over the last three years. It hasn't been hard, let's put it that way, because there's a lot of players underperforming.
"His stock is still very high, because he's a top player, keeps scoring goals, and he's leading by example on the football pitch. So I'd be looking to keep Fernandes."
TalkSPORT reported previously that Fernandes has been named among the 50 players that the Saudi Pro League are plotting to sign as part of their latest transfer push.
Pro League giants Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr all expressed interest last summer before the decision was made for him to stay at Old Trafford. The clubs are said to be considering new offers for Fernandes now.
The United skipper has already spoken this season, detailing his "hurt" after he felt that the club wanted him to make the switch to Saudi Arabia for a proposed offer during the summer.
He said: "From the club I felt it was, 'If you go it's not so bad for us'. It hurts me a bit.
"More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I'm a player that no-one can criticise, I'm always available, I always give my best.
"I could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money.
"I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club."