Bruno Fernandes’ Performance in the UEL Final Showed Why Man United Need to Sell Him This Summer
The 2024–25 Europa League final was not just a painful defeat for Manchester United — it was a clear illustration of everything that has gone wrong with the team’s leadership and midfield creativity. At the center of the discussion was Bruno Fernandes, the club captain and once-unquestioned talisman. His performance against Bayer Leverkusen, riddled with indecision, poor positioning, and a visible lack of impact, has led many to argue that it is finally time for Manchester United to move on from him.
Once considered a key figure in United’s resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and later Erik ten Hag, Fernandes now finds himself at the center of a growing debate: has he outlived his usefulness at Old Trafford? The Europa League final didn’t just suggest that he has — it screamed it.
A Final to Forget
In one of United’s most important matches in recent years, Fernandes was expected to lead from the front, control the tempo, and inspire his team with energy and decisiveness. Instead, the Portuguese international put in a performance that was both anonymous and frustrating.
Operating as the central attacking midfielder in Rúben Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 setup, Fernandes struggled to find space, failed to link up effectively with the forwards, and completed only a handful of key passes throughout the 90 minutes. He registered zero shots on target, lost possession 17 times, and his defensive contribution was negligible.
But perhaps most telling was his body language: slumped shoulders, arms in the air in frustration, and frequent vocal outbursts toward teammates — the same toxic habits that fans have criticized for over a year. In a high-stakes match where unity, composure, and leadership were needed, Fernandes embodied the opposite.
Leadership in Name Only
When Bruno Fernandes was handed the captain’s armband last summer, the decision was met with cautious optimism. Known for his passion and desire, it was hoped he would channel those traits into guiding a young, transitional United squad. But what’s unfolded over the course of the season — and particularly in the Europa League final — is a captain whose influence is declining, and whose style of leadership has become more of a liability than an asset.
The modern captain must inspire through composure, work ethic, and example. Instead, Fernandes often shows petulance and finger-pointing. This behavior was on full display in the final, as he frequently berated teammates and argued with officials, wasting energy and focus when calm leadership was needed most.
Contrast that with the poise of Leverkusen’s captain Jonathan Tah, who marshaled his defense and led by example. United looked lost; Leverkusen looked like a team. And when your captain is among the worst performers on the pitch in a European final, it’s a damning indictment of where the club currently stands.
Tactical Misfit in Amorim’s System
Another factor making Fernandes increasingly expendable is how poorly he fits into Amorim’s tactical philosophy. The Portuguese manager favors structure, discipline, and coordinated pressing — areas where Fernandes falls short.
While undeniably talented, Fernandes is a high-risk, high-reward player who thrives in chaotic, open games where he can take speculative passes and shift positions at will. That might have suited earlier versions of United that relied on moments of individual brilliance, but under Amorim, such unpredictability is seen as a tactical liability.
In the Europa League final, Amorim’s structured setup left Fernandes isolated and ineffective. Rather than adapting to the system, Fernandes seemed to rebel against it, drifting out of position and overcommitting on the ball. His lack of positional discipline caused gaps in midfield, which Leverkusen exploited ruthlessly on the counter.
It’s hard to justify building a system around a player who undermines the tactical coherence of the team — especially when that player is nearing 30 and declining in physical influence.
Blocking the Next Generation
Perhaps the most compelling reason to consider selling Bruno Fernandes this summer is the need to make room for United’s emerging midfield talents. Kobbie Mainoo has proven himself to be a future star — intelligent on the ball, calm under pressure, and tactically astute. He needs a midfield built around his attributes, not one that revolves around a player constantly chasing chaos.
Similarly, the likes of Hannibal Mejbri and even Mason Mount (who was underused due to injuries) offer potential for a more modern, dynamic midfield that presses high, recycles possession efficiently, and plays with discipline.
Fernandes, despite his flashes of brilliance, disrupts that rhythm. His penchant for long-range passes and Hollywood balls frequently cedes possession and breaks attacking momentum. In a team trying to establish control and identity under a new manager, that simply can’t continue.
Financial and Strategic Sense
Selling Bruno Fernandes now also makes sense from a financial and squad-building perspective. At 29, his value is unlikely to increase. As of May 2025, he still commands interest from top European clubs, particularly in Serie A and La Liga. Clubs like Atletico Madrid and Juventus are reportedly monitoring his situation and could be tempted by a player with European pedigree and leadership experience.
Manchester United need to make smart sales this summer to fund a rebuild. With Financial Fair Play regulations looming and the need to invest in a striker, right-back, and central defender, offloading Fernandes could bring in upwards of £40–50 million — funds that could be reinvested in younger, more system-compatible players.
Furthermore, his departure could free up wages to extend contracts for key young players and provide breathing room for the squad to evolve.
Time to Move On
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a player who, at his peak, was one of the most influential signings in the post-Ferguson era. Fernandes’ arrival in 2020 sparked life into a stagnant team. He delivered goals, assists, and moments of brilliance that reminded fans of what attacking football at Old Trafford could look like.
But football is ruthless. Loyalty to the past often becomes the biggest obstacle to progress. Bruno Fernandes’ Europa League final performance was not an anomaly — it was a culmination of a season’s worth of decline. The flashes of brilliance are now fewer and further between. The petulance, inconsistency, and tactical limitations have become the norm.
Manchester United must look forward. They must build a midfield that reflects modern football’s demands — structure, dynamism, pressing, and unity. Bruno Fernandes no longer fits that vision.
The time is right for a dignified exit. A transfer this summer would allow Fernandes to take on a new challenge in a slower-paced league more suited to his current strengths, while United take the next step in their rebuild.
In the end, great clubs don’t cling to the past — they evolve. And if United want to return to the top of English and European football, selling
Bruno Fernandes might just be the necessary step forward.
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