Man United make new Bruno Fernandes exit plan – ‘They made the decision months ago’
Man United are planning to cash in on Bruno Fernandes in 2026 having already decided that his exit can be used to strengthen the squad elsewhere.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade and remains very well-connected there, as he exclusively told Football Insider that a January exit is unlikely but not off the cards.
Football Insider revealed on 28 September that Fernandes could leave Man United in January, and may already have played his last game for the club.
This comes after Fernandes revealed Man United tried to sell him during the summer and planned to accept a bid from Al Hilal before he snubbed the move.
Meanwhile, reports that the Portugal international has a £52.5million release clause which can be triggered by clubs outside of the Premier League have added to the uncertainty.
Man United make Bruno Fernandes transfer plan
Brown told Football Insider on 28 December that Man United will not rule out Fernandes’ exit and will entertain offers for him when the mid-season window opens.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Portugal international remains an important player and will not leave without a replacement.
“Man United aren’t ruling out letting Bruno leave,” he told Football Insider.
“If they wanted to keep hold of him, they would be putting it out there that ‘there’s no way we would let Bruno Fernandes leave’ and deterring that interest.
“They’re not doing that, they’re entertaining the talk about his exit, and that’s because now it seems they made the decision months ago to let him go.
“From what I hear, the plan is to sell him and then use that money elsewhere.
“It’s risky and in my opinion is stupid, because you’re not going to get a better player than Bruno Fernandes so it will be a downgrade, but that’s their idea.
“The only way I can see it happening in January is if they have somebody lined up of the same level of talent and quality who is ready to come in.
“I don’t think that’s the case at the moment, so it’s very unlikely he will leave next month.”
Could Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo both leave Old Trafford?
Fernandes’ situation has also been compared to that of Kobbie Mainoo, as although they are different on the pitch, the decisions behind the scenes are similar.
Brown told Football Insider on 14 December that Mainoo will push to leave Man United in January after “crazy” treatment by the club and manager.
United made the decision to let Mainoo go during the early stages of the summer window, when it appeared they may need to sell, before a late U-turn.
A similar decision was made with Fernandes, after he revealed the club were keen to move him on, and both players were left in limbo as a result.
Football Insider revealed in October that Mainoo is desperate to leave United in January, as he wants to be in with a chance of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
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