Teddy Sheringham fears Manchester United might be tempted into parting company with Bruno Fernandes this summer in the event that they receive a tempting enough offer.
The United skipper has been in sensational form this season and particularly for the reason that arrival of Michael Carrick as interim manager in January.
Fernandes’ form has helped power United towards Champions League qualification andwin over Leeds United at Old Trafford tonight would see Carrick’s improving side take a significant step towards sealing a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season.
Whether the Portugal international will remain on the Theatre of Dreams, nonetheless, stays the topic of much conjecture.
The 31-year-old’s current contract expires next summer and although his club retains the choice to increase that deal by an additional 12 months, the upcoming transfer window represents the last likelihood for United to draw a major fee.
Were Fernandes to depart after seven years at United and over a century of goals, an enormous void can be created not only within the creativity department but by way of leadership as well.
Sheringham, nonetheless, argues that the previous Sporting Lisbon star is likely to be further liberated were he freed from the captaincy role but argued that were United seeking to move on then two Premier League ready stars could fit the bill.
‘I feel he’s been phenomenal, but I still don’t think he’s captain material,’ Sheringham told BestBettingSites. ‘I feel he’d be higher if he wasn’t captain.
‘His performances during the last three years have been unbelievable, leading by example — and I do know that’s what captains do — but he’s probably a bit bit an excessive amount of of a flair player to be captain in my view.
‘There have been flair players who’ve been captains in great teams, but I prefer consistent central midfielders or centre-halves as captains, after which just let the flair players do their thing – don’t give them the responsibility to run the team as well.
‘It’d be interesting. In case you get good money for him, you possibly can possibly buy two players coming into their prime.
‘I don’t know what they’d get for Fernandes, but if you happen to could get Anderson and half of Gibbs-White, you’d probably take that.’
No matter where Fernandes starts next season, Sheringham was emphatic when asked whether he would love to see Carrick be offered the manager’s job on a full-time basis.
‘Yes, indisputably,’ he said when asked if Carrick must be installed on a everlasting basis. ‘I feel it’s been phenomenal. For me, he’s done an unbelievable job to show things around so quickly. I like his manner as a manager — very composed.
‘You possibly can be composed when things are going well — like Slot last 12 months — but when results turn, that gets tested. But I like Carrick’s composure and the best way he leads himself and leads Manchester United.
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‘I feel he’s perfect for the role. I might like to see him offered the job on a full-time basis, ideally before the tip of the season so United can go into the summer with total clarity. There’s been just a few too many summers on the club where the manager’s future is doubtful and we’ve seen the negative effect that may have on the place.
‘It creates an excessive amount of uncertainty for the players which can be within the constructing and the players the club desires to sign.
‘He hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel. He’s kept things easy, put his best players within the team and reverted to a brand of football that the players understand fully.
‘There shouldn’t be anyone else within the conversation for the United role based on what Michael has achieved since he walked through the door.’
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