Football Insider exclusive as Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes stares towards manager Michael Carrick, who watches from a circular inset.
Football Insider exclusive as Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes stares towards manager Michael Carrick, who watches from a circular inset.
The attacking midfielder is facing major scrutiny at Old Trafford after recently criticising the tactics employed by his manager Michael Carrick.
The Portuguese is out of contract at the end of the current campaign, but United hold the option to automatically extend his current deal by a further year.
Sources say that the United hierarchy are considering taking up that option to preserve Fernandes' value before selling him later in the window.
His exit from the club is far from guaranteed, but it is viewed as a genuine option in the coming months in what is an unexpected development given he recently was named Premier League player of the year and smashed the competition's record for most assists in a season.
Carrick left Fernandes as an unused substitute in Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, as relations between the pair remain damaged.
Saudi Arabian interest in Bruno Fernandes to re-emerge
Fernandes was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, as he has been for several recent transfer windows.
However, while no move came to fruition in the end, it hasn't taken long for his situation at Old Trafford to worsen drastically.
Fernandes' recent comments against Carrick have prompted supporters to seriously question the form that he has shown so far this season.
The talismanic skipper has three goals and one assist from seven Premier League games, but has contributed little since his hat-trick against Ipswich back in August
His actions and body language have been under genuine scrutiny in recent weeks, and the club are beginning to assess whether they need to move him on.
The interest from Saudi Arabia is expected to re-emerge both in January and next summer, giving United a potentially lucrative chance to offload him.
How much will Bruno Fernandes' replacement cost?
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that it will likely cost United upwards of £100million to adequately replace Fernandes.
With the former Sporting CP ace now 33, Borson is adamant that his "era" in the Premier League will be drawing to a close soon, regardless of his recent outburst.
However, the football finance expert has no doubt that United will have to splash a huge fee to ensure his goals and assists are replaced sufficiently.
Fernandes has been a crucial figure for United for several years now, but they are now having to face up to the possibility of potentially living without him.