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Steve Bruce is worried Manchester United will make a major transfer mistake by selling Bruno Fernandes this summer.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 29-year-old has arguably been United’s most important and consistent player since his £47m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, scoring 54 goals and making 41 assists in 159 Premier League games.
Fernandes has insisted he will stay at the club providing he is still wanted but also wants Manchester United to match his aspirations following a disappointing eighth-place finish which means the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The decision could yet be taken out of Fernandes’ hands as reports say Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering cashing in on the playmaker amid interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Old Trafford legend and former Premier League boss Bruce believes this would be a mistake and says United ‘cannot’ let him leave.
Asked about the speculation over Fernandes’ future, Bruce told talkSPORT: ‘He cannot leave.
‘Look, for me, the one shining light in the last few years at Manchester United has been Bruno.
‘I mean, he plays with huge intensity. Yes, he gets a bit frustrated at times and can be a bit petulant at times, but in terms of a footballer, just look at the statistics…
‘He plays 50 games a season and he scores 15 to 20 goals a season and is at the top of the assists too. He is a top, top player… you don’t want to be losing him.’
Bruce also wants Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United but admits he needs to rediscover his mojo following a poor season.
The 26-year-old, a long-time target for French champions PSG, only scored eight goals in 43 games last term, underwhelming form which saw him left out of England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
‘We saw again in the FA Cup final what a talent he is,’ Bruce, 63, said. ‘He is a fantastic footballer who played a wonderful pass for the second goal.
‘He has got frightening ability and he seems a little bit lost at the moment and needs to find that spark again and play with the same energy and enthusiasm which we saw when he broke through because he was a breath of fresh air.
‘He has got a lot to offer, but it looks as if towards the end and towards the middle of the season, he has got a big weight on his shoulders and he needs to get rid of that and play with that freedom again.’
Manchester United, who recorded their lowest-ever Premier League finish under Erik ten Hag, are yet to decide whether to sack the Dutchman this summer.
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