Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been urged to leave the club to pursue trophies by Joe Cole as the former Chelsea midfielder claimed the star has ‘run his race’ at the club.
Fernandes has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions for Man United this season, with the midfielder continuing to contribute despite the Red Devils’ struggles.
The 30-year-old scored a crucial hat-trick against Real Sociedad to help Man United reach the Europa League quarter-finals and keep their season alive.
Fernandes has, however, faced explosive criticism from former Red Devils’ skipper Roy Keane over his leadership of the side.
Cole, speaking to Paddy Power, suggested Fernandes must be frustrated at receiving criticism despite being Man United’s shining light.
The former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder claimed Fernandes, who has scored 95 goals and provided 81 assists in 277 games for Man United, should be looking to move on to play for a team capable of winning trophies.
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes has been urged to leave the club to pursue trophies
Joe Cole stated that Fernandes has been Man United’s ‘shining light’ despite their struggles
Fernandes has 31 goal involvements for Man United this season but has still faced criticism
‘If I’m Bruno Fernandes, I’d absolutely be looking for a move away from Manchester United. He’s the first butterfly and he’s getting all the arrows from everyone,’ Cole said.
‘He must go home at night and wonder why everyone is digging him out when he’s the only one pulling his weight in this team.
‘There are others doing okay but he is literally dragging that club through this dire moment. When all is said and done and Bruno leaves United and maybe they return to the top, they’ll look back at this era and the only shining light will be Bruno Fernandes.
‘He’s a fantastic footballer and you could put him into most teams, and he’d thrive, but I don’t think he’s won a league in his career and he needs to go and prove to himself that he can play in a top side because he’s run his race at Manchester United.
‘He should leave that club with everyone; the owners, fans and the manager giving him his flowers because he gets all the stick. And that’s part and parcel of being a Manchester United footballer but how must he feel when he’s getting all the pelters despite being the one with the goals, assists and driving the team forwards.
‘He’s a fabulous player and if I was him, I’d be looking to go and play in a team capable of winning trophies.’
Since signing for Man United, Fernandes has been part of a League Cup winning side in 2023 and lifted the FA Cup last May.
The Red Devils have been unable to mount a title challenge during his time at the club, with their closest effort being a runner-up finish in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side were 12 points off the pace of winners Man City.
Fernandes scored a hat-trick last week to help Man United reach the Europa League last eight
Cole suggested Fernandes must be frustrated by criticism despite driving the team forwards
Fernandes was urged by Cole to push for a move to a club where he can target league titles
Man United finished eighth in the top flight last season and are currently languishing in the bottom half with nine matches left to play.
Former Man United captain Keane singled Fernandes out last month, as he urged the Portuguese midfielder to show more fighting qualities amid the club’s struggles.
‘Talent is not enough! You keep going back to talent – Bruno’s a talented player, but it’s not enough!’ he said, on the Stick to Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘Who were you in the dressing room with, Tony Adams! Tony Adams was this, Tony Adams was that, because he was a fighter!
‘You’ve got young players who have to look at somebody and go “I like what he does”. They all can’t put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that, but you want someone who’s going “Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?”‘
Ian Wright defended Fernandes amid Keane’s rant, and insisted United would be in in danger of dropping into the Championship without their captain.
‘Maybe he’s not that kind of captain, Roy, I’m with you, but what he’s doing in respects of… saving you, playing that pass, the goal,’ Wright said after United’s 2-2 draw at Everton.
‘If Bruno’s not there, United are in the relegation battle.’
Keane (left) claimed ‘talent is not enough’ in refence to Fernandes’ leadership at Old Trafford
Fernandes addressed Keane’s criticism on Sunday – and claimed it has inspired him to improve
Speaking after Man United’s 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday, Fernandes was asked whether he had been hurt or motivated by Keane’s comments.
‘I think both,’ Fernandes told Sky Sports. ‘Obviously, it’s not nice to hear those things about you, I think no one likes that. But at the same time, it motivates and makes you think people think there’s a lot of things you have to improve.
‘You have to take it in a positive way, and think whatever people are saying, if there’s a margin for improvement or not. I know you’re talking about Roy Keane. I have huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains the club had. An amazing player for the club, won basically everything for this club.
‘It’s the way he thinks about me as a player, as a captain. I have to respect that. I try to do the things in my own way to be not the best captain but person and team-mate as I can. I do it every day. I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the pitch.
‘But obviously, not everyone will like (it), not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone. I have to accept there is a lot of margin for improvement in my game and my leadership.’
