Lee Sharpe says Man Utd can afford to lose Bruno Fernandes

Lee Sharpe has said Manchester United can afford to lose Bruno Fernandes and suggested the club could cash in this summer to sign a younger replacement. Fernandes has been a talismanic presence across six years at Old Trafford. He joined United from Sporting for an initial £47 million fee in January 2020, has made 317 appearances, wears the captain’s armband and is 31, with a contract running to the summer of 2027 plus an option for a further year.

The Portugal international revealed he felt the club were open to a sale in 2025 when Saudi Pro League clubs showed interest, saying: “From the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a bit… it makes me sad because I’m a player who has nothing to criticize.

The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head.” Sharpe argued that selling Fernandes would allow United to reinvest and seek a potential “new Bruno,” while noting a top-four finish might persuade him to stay.

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