Erik ten Hag is a massive fan of Bruno Fernandes which makes it hard to see him sanctioning any possible departure amid links to Real Madrid.
Fernandes is currently away representing Portgual at the World Cup and though Cristiano Ronaldo may continue to steal the headlines on and off the pitch following his departure from United, it's the man still at Old Trafford who has been the star of the show. Portugal are already safely through to the knockouts after beating Ghana and Uruguay in their opening games.
Fernandes has been the star player in each match, setting up two goals with incisive passes in the opener before netting a brace in the second, despite Ronaldo's best efforts to claim one of the goals for himself. It has marked a real return to form for the No.8.
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Though he has been steadily improving under Erik ten Hag this season, Fernandes has still struggled to find the rich vein of goal-scoring form he showed when first arriving in Manchester in January 2020. He has just three goals for United this season but despite his lack of cutting edge in front of goal, Ten Hag has still defended his displays.
"Yeah but I think Bruno is playing really good this season, so I can see in that fact, he can produce more goals, assists," the Dutchman said earlier this season.
"But I think he's often in the line of the goal and he's playing a massive role in a lot of moments of football for us: in building up attacks, creativity, movement, but also in transitions, in both sides, in the defensive transitions he's magnificent and doing a really good job so I’m really happy with his performances."
Considering Ten Hag praised Fernandes so highly when he wasn't scoring he must be loving his resurgence in that department and it would be a massive surprise if he switched his stance and ever considered allowing him to depart.
The playmaker's fine performances have not gone unnoticed and Real Madrid are being heavily touted to make a move for him next year. Record reports Los Blancos are considering rekindling their interest in Fernandes but they're not going to have much luck if they decide to do so.
Ten Hag's admiration for the player has led to him wearing the captain's armband on several occasions this season, and the fact that Fernandes signed a new contract to 2026 back in April means he won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
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