Man United said they have sold Bruno Fernandes as ‘help doesn’t mean anything’
Dean Saunders believes Manchester United should sell Bruno Fernandes to fund a summer rebuild, as he dismissed the midfielder’s impressive assist record.
Fernandes has been widely regarded as the Red Devils’ best player in recent years, and he enjoyed a historic 2025/26 campaign in a breakthrough. The Premier League record for most assists in a single season.
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The United captain scored 21 goals last season, surpassing previous goalscorers Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
His impressive campaign saw him crowned the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Men’s Footballer of the Year, and helped his side to an impressive third-placed finish in the Premier League.
But with United now set for their first Champions League campaign since 2024, they are determined to strengthen their squad ahead of them.
The Red Devils are in the process of rebuilding the field, as they have already snapped up Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos from their Premier League rivals, and are looking for two French players, Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone.
‘Nonsense’
As Man United consider how to fund their summer transfer window, TalkSPORT’s Saunders pointed to Fernandes.
There is currently no suggestion that the 31-year-old will go anywhere, as he has a year left on his current contract, with an option to extend it by one year.
And while many would label Fernandes as essential – with 107 goals and 108 assists in his United career – Saunders took less credit for his performances in the latter category.
On Friday morning’s show, he floated the idea of offloading United’s talismanic captain this summer to TalkSPORT Senior Football Correspondent, and Red Devils fan Alex Crook.
To this, Crook replied: “If you’re going to say Bruno Fernandes, the answer is no chance.”
He continued: “21 assists last season.
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“It makes no sense to think about that.”
Looks can be deceiving
Despite Crook’s strong response, Saunders said Fernandes’ aid numbers can be deceiving.
The player who played for Wales said that the Portuguese player’s numbers are very dependent on those around him, stressing that his teammates can put him in positions to seek easy help.
Saunders said: “This business of helping people, I don’t get it.
“I asked Jamie O’Hara the other night, how many assistants did you get in your career?” He said: ‘I don’t know.’ I said: ‘Yes, because no one ever told you and we didn’t count them’.
“Assists depend on who you play with.
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“So, for example, if Harry Maguire steals the ball from the center forward and slips it to Fernandes and he hits it first in the corner so I can go clear and score, who gets the help? Harry Maguire or Fernandes? Or both?”
Arguing against his case, Saunders emphasized that Fernandes’ rise in scoring is due to the fact that he has many clinical players ahead of him.
In the 2024/25 campaign, United recorded a record low of 16th place in the Premier League, with striker Rasmus Hojlund scoring just four league goals.
In contrast, Michael Carrick’s side finished third last season with three of their attacking players scoring double digits in league goals – Bryan Mbeumo (11), Benjamin Sesko (11) and Matheus Cunha (10).
Saunders continued: “When you play with Robbie Fowler and you’re a left-back, John Barnes, you say that, and he crosses in front of goal, Robbie Fowler finishes every ball that comes in – 10 goals, 10 balls.
“Then he plays with Darwin Nunez, who can’t miss everywhere, so John Barnes’ stats are low because they haven’t finished yet.
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“Be quiet [Kerimoglu] played for Blackburn. He beat Damien Duff’s chest on the left wing every five minutes [to then cross] – Damien Duff [assist] the numbers were high, then we signed Andy Cole and his numbers went up again because he was finishing them. It’s a team sport.”
Crook could not dispute this, he admitted: “It made a difference that Fernandes was beating Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko last season, not Rasmus Hojlund.”
There is no argument
However, Crook insisted that Fernandes’ record-breaking tally is still incredibly impressive, having also set a new record for the most chances created in a Premier League season last season.
He added: “Setting 21 goals during the Premier League season should not be avoided.
And the talkSPORT reporter stressed that Fernandes’ influence at Old Trafford cannot be underestimated, having reached double figures in goal contributions in all of his full seasons at the club.
Crook told Saunders: “Take that away, there’s no question that since Fergie left the club, Bruno Fernandes has been the most important person at Manchester United.
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