Manchester United had three big decisions to make for the upcoming summer, and after their latest stance, they have a 100% hit rate.
Despite Michael Carrick masterminding a stunning revival of Man Utd’s fortunes in the second half of the season, the big picture should not be ignored.
This is still a squad that finished 15th last season, has a gaping hole in midfield ready to get bigger, and the club are in financial peril.
The room for error next summer is zero, and Ineos have had a great start by getting their three major decisions right before the season finishes.
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Man Utd complete 100% hit rate with Bruno Fernandes stance
Bruno Fernandes is driving Man Utd’s success under Carrick, and before that, he was keeping Ruben Amorim’s team afloat despite Amorim’s best efforts to get it sinking.
It beggars belief that this is the player who Ineos were pushing to sell last summer, before Amorim’s intervention saved United’s season.
It seems like United have recognised the error of their ways, because The Daily Mail reports that the club have already told Fernandes that they will ‘do everything’ to keep him this summer.
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Fernandes’ contract runs out in 2027, with United holding the option to extend it by a year, but this update looks like United are ready to start extension talks.
The United captain is among the highest earners at the club already, but he is one player United shouldn’t be afraid of giving the highest wage because he sets the standard for everyone.
Letting the captain go into the last 12 months of his contract, especially when he’s en route to breaking a Premier League record, would be foolish.
By communicating to him that they will do everything to keep him, United have aced all three major summer decisions.
Fernandes call joins Maguire and Casemiro in right decisions
United were in a weird place where the three players who are driving their success in defence, midfield, and attack all faced uncertain futures.
I would pay a MAXIMUM of £___ per-week to Casemiro to extend his contract
Fill in the blank with your offer. Casemiro earns around £350k/week right now. Will you go high or walk away?
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Fernandes’ future looks sorted now, which was a priority, so United have got that one right.
Casemiro, as good as he has been, was never going to warrant the wages he’s on, and if a pay cut is not agreed, letting him leave was the best option. That’s what happened.
Harry Maguire’s case was different since he is open to taking a pay cut, so United will expect him to stay on fresh terms after an extension.
The club’s vision was clear – keep Fernandes, keep Maguire on reduced terms, wish Casemiro a successful farewell tour.
All three things are now happening after the club’s stance on Fernandes, which means the club have got the three major decisions right before the window begins.
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