Man United would 'look at' Bruno Fernandes big money exit as Michael Owen makes 'irreplaceable' transfer claim

There are several players who have benefitted from the appointment of Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager.

Luke Shaw looks more comfortable at left-back and is making a late run for the England World Cup squad and he is joined there by Kobbie Mainoo who has looked reborn since being reinstated.

Ruben Amorim’s refusal to play the 20-year old now looks more and more like a personal vendetta or an act of stubbornness with the press asking him on a weekly basis why he wasn’t playing. Amad Diallo is another who must love having the shackles being taken off and being able to spend more time attacking in the final third than defending at the opposite end.

Michael Owen in Bruno Fernandes praise

Arguably, the player who has benefitted the most, in a similar guise to Amad, is Bruno Fernandes. The United skipper is no longer needed to defend his own box as often and can concentrate on what he does best – scoring and creating goals. Someone who agrees with Fernandes’ shift paying off is Michael Owen who fears that having such a good player as thier talisman could come back to haunt United in the future.

“His numbers have been incredible,” Owen told Metro. “But now he’s playing in his rightful position, we’re seeing an upgrade again in his performances. It’s quite incredible how talented he is. I mean, he is seriously talented. He’s got a great eye for pass, great vision, great delivery, great weight of pass, choice of pass to score himself. He’s just a seriously talented player, end of story,” he added.

“It’s a real tricky one because he is so good you can understand if massive money comes for somebody of that age, why it could be something that Manchester United would look at, if there’s going to be massive money that comes in, then it’s got to be a decision to be made. He’s obviously on big wages as well,” he said.

However, if United do decide to move Fernandes on, Owen had a words of warning, saying replacing one of the best players in the world will be no easy task. “But if he goes, it’s going to hit them hard. They’ll have to replace him with somebody good,” he said. “Trying to replace him would be nigh on impossible. So it’s watch this space, really, but it’s a bit of a conundrum for everybody involved.”

Should United cash in on Fernandes?

Fernandes is priceless. Imagine what state United would be in if it wasn’t for the 31-year old Portugal international. The skipper has cut a frustrated figure over the last few seasons, however, if the club gets recruitment right and Fernandes continues to have the attack built around him, then there is every reason to suggest that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford in the hope that he could lead the club to silverware and the ultimate prize of the Premier League.

What might encourage him is that United are being linked with the type of player who could take United to this level. Yan Diomande is one of Europe’s most sought after wingers with Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton all being mentioned as possible targets for the middle of midfield. There is a core of good players with a mixture of experience and youthful exuberance, but they need depth and one or two more who could immediately strengthen the starting XI. Do that and Fernandes might find it a lot easier to turn down the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia.