Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick has made it clear that the club are keen to hold on to their captain Bruno Fernandes despite growing uncertainty about his future at Old Trafford.
Speaking after United’s 3–1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, Carrick admitted the club would not want to lose the Portuguese playmaker during the summer transfer window.
Fernandes had earlier hinted in an interview with Portuguese media in December that he could consider leaving the club at the end of the season. The midfielder had reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al Hilal last year.
Although the 31-year-old remains under contract with United until at least 2027, his deal is believed to contain a release clause worth around £57 million.
Reacting to the speculation, Carrick said the club values Fernandes highly and hopes he remains part of the team’s future.
“Bruno is definitely not someone we would want to lose,” Carrick said. “Looking ahead, it’s difficult for me to speak too much about what will happen in the summer, but he’s very important to us and we certainly want him here.”
Fernandes once again showed his importance during the win over Villa at Old Trafford, providing two assists that helped secure the three points.
The assists also pushed his tally to 16 in the Premier League this season, setting a new Manchester United record. In doing so, he surpassed the previous club record of 15 assists set by David Beckham during the 1999/2000 campaign.
His first assist came from a corner kick that Casemiro headed into the net to give United the lead.
Casemiro, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, received loud support from home fans who chanted “one more year” in appreciation of his contribution.
However, Carrick suggested that the midfielder’s departure is unlikely to change despite the emotional moment.
“When a decision like that has been made, it sometimes makes things clearer for everyone,” Carrick said, praising Casemiro’s influence on the team during his time at the club.
Sunday’s victory also boosted United’s chances of securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season. The result moved Carrick’s side into third place on 54 points with eight league matches still to play.
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