United braced for summer approach for irreplaceable star, here’s why any bids must be rebuffed – opinion

Stretty News

·7 Mei 2025

United braced for summer approach for irreplaceable star, here’s why any bids must be rebuffed – opinion

There will always be a large amount of interest from Saudi League clubs in top Premier League players. The Manchester United captain appears to be at the top of that list now.

They, like the MLS, are attempting to grow their brand and see the traction that bringing in a superstar can mean for the club.

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Even so, Bruno Fernandes is a self-designated ‘unsellable’ by the club. A lot can potentially happen this transfer window. Moving forward without the Portuguese captain, however, cannot be an option. The steepest selling price would not be enough to replace what the 30-year-old brings to United.

Longevity with club is from a bygone era

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Anymore, it will be seen with increasing rarity for anyone to stick with one club for too long. A departing player has a choice here. They can leave like Jamie Vardy is for Leicester. The Foxes’ supporters are happy to cheer him on at his next landing spot. Or, the Trent Alexander-Arnold option has many criticizing the once beloved right back as a traitor.

For Man Utd and Fernandes, hopefully when that time comes, it’s closer to the former. At any rate, there will continue to be annual interest in the captain. He is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe. He, furthermore, fights and is able to put on continuous, consecutive 90-minute performances.

It has been through Fernandes’ efforts that Man Utd have achieved the results that they have throughout the season. Between his drive and leadership, there isn’t any amount of money from the MLS or Saudi that would be enough to justify pulling him away from Old Trafford.

Most importantly, the best need to stay in Europe. It is fair enough for the smaller leagues to look to further grow their place in football. Doing so by taking EPL athletes in their prime does a disservice to the sport.

Now is not the time for Fernandes to leave Man Utd

It’s one thing for Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to be playing outside of Europe and the respective stages in their careers. It’s an entirely different conversation when discussing someone like Fernandes right now.

Yes, a potential move to Al-Hilal would draw more eyes to those fixtures. For the most part it would result in the attention sticking to how Man Utd fare during the 2025-2026 campaign. The immediate intrigue of watching Fernandes decimate Premier League backlines would be lost.

Although a lot can change at any given time, it appears that the skipper is happy in Manchester. It is common for players to dispel notions of a departure. This then results in fans bringing up TAA’s ‘only on FIFA’ comments when the news is announced indicating otherwise.

Week-to-week, anything can happen. Through the captain’s words and his dedication, however, it seems unlikely that he’ll even entertain a move. There’s unfinished business with Man Utd. One day, Fernandes will retire, and it likely won’t be as a United player.

When that day does come, however, he’ll have won a number of additional trophies for the Reds. However long it lasts between the club and Fernandes, his departure won’t happen this summer.