Former Manchester United star Nicky Butt has called on the club to do whatever it takes to retain Bruno Fernandes, amid ongoing speculation about a possible move to Saudi Arabia.
Over the weekend, Fernandes showcased his crucial role for the team, assisting twice in United’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, which bolstered their position for Champions League qualification.
This season, Fernandes has been a consistent presence under the guidance of both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick, often shining as a key player during challenging times. Despite being widely recognized as United’s standout player, rumors persist about his potential departure. The Portuguese playmaker disclosed in December that the club considered selling him last summer, with several Saudi clubs expressing interest.
“Cristiano advised me, but ultimately it was my decision. I chose to stay because I genuinely love the club, but loyalty doesn’t seem to be valued as much these days,” Fernandes shared.
As the season nears its conclusion and another transfer window looms, Butt expressed on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast that United must prioritize keeping Fernandes at the club.
Nicky Butt has urged Manchester United to give Bruno Fernandes ‘anything he wants’ to stay at the club
Butt praised Fernandes’ performances during tough times for United this season
“Manchester United cannot afford to let him go, regardless of the cost,” Butt stated. “They must offer Bruno Fernandes whatever he desires to stay, as losing him would infuriate the fans.”
Speaking on the midfielder, who is contracted at the club until the end of next season, he added: ‘It’s no coincidence that he’s now playing where he should have been playing for the last two years and he’s playing unbelievably well and creating chances. His pass for the second goal (versus Villa) is an unbelievable pass.
‘I think I was part of a few people who criticised him a little bit, not because of his performances and his playing but as a captain as leader because I’m old school and I look at captains like Tony Adams, Brian Robson, Roy Keane.
‘What he’s always done is created and scored goals and he’s carried that football team pretty much on his own for I’d say a good two years, two seasons.’
He did, however, stop short of giving Fernandes a spot in his all-time United XI.
‘I can see why they’re saying that talent-wise, but the problem I’ve got with that is who do you leave out and where’d you put him?’ Butt said. ‘Are you going to play him before (Eric) Cantona, (Paul) Scholes, (Brian) Robson, (Roy) Keane?
‘It’s a no in my eyes but that’s not taking anything away from his talent – he is an unbelievable footballer and they did talk about him being player of the year this year and I can see why.
‘Up until when Michael (Carrick) took over, he was playing in a team that were really poor and not performing but he was the only one performing and now the team have got better under Michael and are getting results he just looks like an unbelievable player.’
Fernandes revealed last year that he felt United wanted him to leave the club in the summer
One midfielder who will almost certainly be departing Old Trafford in the summer is Casemiro, who has played alongside Fernandes on a number of occasions in the United team.
The Brazilian’s deal will come to an end after this season, and it has been revealed that it will not be renewed. After a tough first couple of years, he has come into his own this season, and also received high praise from Butt.
‘I tell you what as well, and I probably talked him down a little bit over the last season or two because I did think his legs had gone, but Casemiro has just got a second lease of life,’ he said. ‘It’s unbelievable.
‘Seven goals he scored this year. People who always said they loved him are speaking bulls*** – six or seven months ago it looked like his legs had gone it looked like couldn’t get about the pitch but when you’re playing with people that you know where they’re going to be and then the rightful positions, it’s amazing how it kicks on.
‘So you put Bruno away from him, a bit more advanced or to the side of him, he just passes the ball to Bruno all the time and he puts the finishing pass through. But he has been brilliant in the last 10 games.’
