Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen has delivered a stark warning to Manchester United, suggesting that replacing captain Bruno Fernandes would prove an almost 'impossible' task should the club decide to cash in on their star midfielder this summer.
The Fernandes Conundrum: Talent Versus Business
Fernandes has been in scintillating form since Michael Carrick took over as interim head coach following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese international, who was often deployed in a deeper midfield role under Amorim, has flourished in a more advanced attacking position under Carrick's guidance.
The Red Devils skipper demonstrated his importance with a goal in United's 2-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend, followed by a full 90-minute performance in their 1-1 comeback draw against West Ham on Tuesday. His statistics this season are remarkable, with only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (27) surpassing Fernandes' 18 direct goal involvements.
Contractual Complexities and Release Clause
Despite his crucial contributions, uncertainty surrounds the 31-year-old's long-term future at Old Trafford. Fernandes remains under contract until 2027, with an option for an additional year, but reports indicate a £56.6 million (€65m) release clause exists in his current agreement. This clause can only be activated by clubs outside England, adding another layer of complexity to any potential transfer negotiations.
Owen, speaking as the UK ambassador for online casino comparison site Casino.org, acknowledged the business realities facing Manchester United. 'It's an interesting one, isn't it, because of his age,' Owen told Metro. 'He has the quality, and that experience he brings, but it's a business and everybody's got a price.'
The Replacement Dilemma
The former striker elaborated on the difficult balancing act United would face: 'If there's going to be massive money that comes in, then it's got to be a decision to be made. He's obviously on big wages as well. But if he goes, it's going to hit them hard. They'll have to replace him with somebody good.'
Owen challenged the prevailing narrative about United's squad development: 'Everybody is saying, 'Oh, Manchester United are flying now, how many players do they need to get to the next level to maybe go and challenge for the title?' when really, it's how do they replace one or two that are going to go as well as adding to improve the quality.'
Praise for Fernandes' Character and Consistency
Fernandes' recent performances have drawn significant praise, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy suggesting the Portugal international is currently 'the best number ten in Europe.' Owen concurred with this assessment, highlighting Fernandes' remarkable consistency even during United's difficult periods.
'The biggest compliment you can give him is that when Manchester United were struggling, and they have been struggling over the last few years, he was still a standout player,' Owen emphasised. 'I can't tell you how hard that is and how rarely you will see it with teams. When they're struggling, everybody struggles. It's very, very rare that one player stands out and keeps his level and continues to play really well.'
A Player of Exceptional Quality
Owen expressed particular admiration for Fernandes' technical abilities and mental fortitude: 'So, I'm even more impressed with him before this run. I know he's probably playing better now, but to play really well in a struggling team takes a lot of character, and he did that for many years.'
The former England international detailed the midfielder's exceptional attributes: 'His numbers have been incredible. But now he's playing in his rightful position, we're seeing an upgrade again in his performances. It's quite incredible how talented he is. I mean, he is seriously talented. He's got a great eye for pass, great vision, great delivery, great weight of pass, choice of pass to score himself. He's just a seriously talented player, end of story.'
Owen concluded with a sobering assessment of United's potential predicament: 'It's a real tricky one because he is so good you can understand if massive money comes for somebody of that age, why it could be something that Manchester United would look at. But trying to replace him would be nigh on impossible. So it's watch this space, really, but it's a bit of a conundrum for everybody involved.'
