Bruno Fernandes exit fears raised ahead of summer transfer window as Man Utd legend warns Ruben Amorim that losing his captain would be ‘really difficult’

Losing the Portuguese playmaker would represent a huge blow to the Red Devils, as he is club captain at Old Trafford and the only player to be earning any kind of credit at present. Fernandes is often the man that United turn for inspiration as they continue to struggle for consistency as a collective.

Fernandes is tied to a contract through to 2027, but is now 30 years of age and no longer in a position where he can afford to be patient when it comes to pursuing major honours. If United are unable to puts shoots of recovery in place, then the talented midfielder may decide to try his luck elsewhere.

Quizzed on whether there is any fear of Fernandes moving on, former United defender Gary Pallister – speaking in association with Spaceport Sweden – told GOAL: “It wouldn’t surprise you. Bruno has been one of the lights. Where we would be without Bruno and the goals and assists that he has brought over the last few years? I don’t know.

“I think there is a fear that every player has got a price tag. He’s getting picked out because of his role as the captain – a lot of people seem to have a problem with that. As a player, I think he has been excellent for Manchester United. He would be a really difficult player to lose if he was to leave in the transfer window.”

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While Fernandes is doing his best to drag others up to his level, United have slumped to 14th in the Premier League. Asked if a loyal fan could have foreseen such regression when bidding farewell to Sir Alex Ferguson on the back of a 13th title triumph in 2013, Pallister added: “I think everybody knew it was going to be difficult to replace him. It was said enough times when he was still at the club ‘How are they ever going to replace him when he does leave?’ That has come to pass.

“It has been a bit of a struggle. While a few cups along the way might be seen as success for a lot of clubs, it’s Manchester United and they need to be challenging for the Premier League and the Champions League every year. We’re far away from that at the moment.

“There have been a lot of issues, certainly in recruitment, that have caused the problems that they have got now. It’s just fingers crossed that [Ruben] Amorim, a couple of months into next season, has got the players that he wants in, has adapted the style, got the players believing in the style and we can start to see the team going forward. At the moment, it’s not a good watch.”

United were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad last time out, in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 encounter, and will be back at Old Trafford on Sunday for a Premier League clash with old adversaries Arsenal.