Bruno Fernandes looks set to recommend a successor for Manchester United, with his transfer plans becoming clearer by the day.
Bruno Fernandes has been the most important signing Manchester United has made since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2023, but it seems that he could leave Old Trafford this summer.
The United captain has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia for much of the last 12 months, and is known to have a release clause available to clubs in Europe for just £57 million.
Recent reports have said Fernandes will decide his future plans after the World Cup this summer, leaving United in the dark as to whether they will have to replace their most important player.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox already has to focus on signing a Casemiro replacement, as well as looking for a new head coach alongside CEO Omar Berrada. It also seems he will be busy dealing with outgoings, with a £100 million firesale on the cards.
Fernandes recommends namesake as replacement
With Fernandes himself yet to decide whether he will stay or go, it will be difficult for United to plan for who they could sign to replace him, with so much emphasis needed in other areas.
However, The Sun have reported that the United captain is set to name West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as his replacement if he were to leave in the summer.
Fernandes only joined West Ham in the summer from Southampton, but with West Ham currently sat in the relegation zone on 29 points - one point behind Tottenham Hotspur - the attacking midfielder could be available on a cheaper deal.
"When you grow up, you try to look for players in your position, so I looked to Bruno to try to learn. I just enjoyed it and tried to learn the small details with him," said the West Ham midfielder in an interview with The Daily Mail.
United are already looking to sign a new defensive midfielder to replace Casemiro, and could sign another lower-profile option to replace Manuel Ugarte, so signing another engine room player to replace Bruno Fernandes could hamper funds elsewhere in the squad.
When will Fernandes leave Old Trafford?
Bruno Fernandes' Manchester United contract expires in the summer of 2027, with an option for a further year. But the club were looking to sell him last year, with heavy interest from Saudi Arabia.
Recommending a replacement in Mateus Fernandes is not a typical action of someone who knows they want to fulfil the rest of their contract, but Bruno Fernandes has looked much happier under Michael Carrick.
Since Carrick took charge against Manchester City, Fernandes has registered three goals and eight assists in just 10 games. His tally for the season is eight goals and 17 assists in 30 appearances.
Perhaps a return to the Champions League and a firm choice on the next head coach will convince Fernandes to remain at Old Trafford for another season, but he will be wanting answers soon.