Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United told to scrap midfielder Bruno Fernandes contract plans due to his on-field antics by former Chelsea star
Speaking to talkSPORT (h/t Daily Star), ex-Chelsea star Tony Cascarino urged Manchester United not to offer a new contract to star midfielder Bruno Fernandes due to his on-field antics and constant complaining on the football ground.
Fernandes has been one of United’s best players since his debut in 2020, being one of the most influential and creative stars in the squad. The attacking midfielder has been a breath of fresh air to a side that before him, struggled to create chances or break down tough opposition defences.
Cascarino, who played for the Blues between 1992 and 1994, said that Fernandes frustrated him because he was always complaining and moaning about his team during a game, despite being a talented player.
“He frustrates me because he’s a talent but he’s always waving his arms around. It feels like he’s complaining and moaning about his team all the time during a game. Don’t get me wrong, Roy Keane did that, would be having a go at you, but he didn’t wave his arms around, but he’d have a go.”
Despite a great start to life in Manchester, the Portugal international’s current campaign has not been his best. Often this term, we have been subject to images of the 27-year-old making his frustrations on the pitch heard and felt quite animatedly.
A valid claim?
To reward the Portuguese star for his dazzling displays on the pitch, Fernandes has been offered a bumper new contract by the Red Devils, with the midfielder set to sign on for an additional five years at the Theatre of Dreams.
Cascarino said that the club should hold on to offering him a new deal just yet, because the player has dropped off in form year by year and does not look like the Bruno Fernandes that first arrived at the club. Fernandes’s contract expires in the summer of 2025, with an option to extend it for a further year.
“I don’t think they should offer him a new deal yet. If he gets to the stage where he’s playing like the Bruno Fernandes like he did when he first arrived at the club over the next year, then yeah, new contract, but not now.”
Always an animated character on the field, Fernandes has always worn his heart on his sleeve and does not hold back with his emotions on the pitch. The player has always been someone to let his football do the talking for him, but this season, that has not quite worked out.
Fernandes alone cannot be blamed for United’s terrible campaign in 2022, but with such a huge responsibility on his shoulders to carry the team forward, the expectations the supporters have from him are sky-high given his reputation and the kind of performances we have seen from him.
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When on form, the Red Devils star’s frustration with his teammates or match officials is justifiable, but given how this season has gone so far, Cascarino’s point of view about Fernandes’ antics on the field is understandable.
That being said, to say that the player does not deserve a new contract after all that he has done for the side since his debut is harsh. He is the reason we have finished in the top four over the past two years, and this campaign as well, all eyes will be on him to help us end the term strongly and be able to secure Champions League football.
