Manchester United know they find themselves in a tricky spot heading into the summer transfer window.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has reiterated that United need to sell players before they can reinvest into his current squad, opening the door for transfer speculation across the entire squad.
The Daily Star suggested that Real Madrid are lining up a £90million move for captain Bruno Fernandes, in a transfer that would shock the club to it's core. The Portuguese playmaker has been a shining light for the club in an otherwise difficult period.
Fernandes has scored 95 goals in 277 appearances in all competitions for United since arriving at the club from Sporting back in January 2020. Since then, he's gone on to establish himself as one of the club's greats, winning the League Cup and FA Cup in the last two seasons.
However, the current campaign will be a barren one in terms of a domestic trophy, with the Europa League their last chance of winning silverware this season. Fernandes will be key to any success United do have this season, but the 30-year-old still has his critics.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has often criticised Fernandes' attitude and on a recent episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the former Reds captain lost his cool.
"They draw at Everton, and it's like they've won the cup," Keane exclaimed. "Bizarre. I see fans at matches, they're singing for Bruno [Fernandes], these boys - I'm thinking, f***ing imposters."
Fellow pundit Ian Wright hit back at Keane, pointing out that Fernandes regularly saved United in recent seasons.
"I'm watching him - sit and watch a game," Keane rebuffed. "Sit and watch a game with him [in]. We watched him in the FA Cup, and I watched him at Everton. People pretend to be closing people down.
"We're 15th in the league, and he's saving them? Talent is not enough. Bruno is a talented player, but talent is not enough. It's not enough, Wrighty. Bruno is not a fighter. You want someone going, 'Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?'"
Fernandes responded directly to those quotes in an interview on Sky Sports and said: "I think both. Obviously, it is not nice to hear bad things about you; no-one likes it. But at the same time, it motivates you and makes you think about a lot of things that people think you have to improve and you have to take it in a positive way, understanding that whatever people are saying and if there is a margin to improve or not.
"Obviously, I know you are talking about Roy Keane. As I have said before, I have a huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he is one of the best captains the club has had and he was an amazing player for the club.
"It is the way he thinks, the idea he has about me as a player, as a captain, and I have to respect that. I do things in my own way to try to be the best, not captain, but person and teammate as I can.
"I do it every day and try to be an example of everything I do in a training session, on the pitch and in everything I do, but obviously not everyone will like [it], not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone.
"And as I have said, I have huge respect for Roy Keane and I accept that there are a lot of margins for improvement in my game, in my leadership, in everything I do, even in my own life."
It's not the first time the former United captain has had a go at the Portuguese playmaker. Keane also hit out after Fernandes apologised following Erik ten Hag's sacking earlier this year.
"When you see a manager go you have to look at the mirror first," Fernandes told Sky Sports. "I spoke to Erik ten Hag and I told him I apologise and I feel disappointed I couldn't do more for him. We should've done better.
"I wasn't scoring goals and I felt responsibility as I'm normally a player with a lot of goals and assists. The main thing is he's aware of that. Every week is challenging, it doesn't matter if you win or lose. It's a different week because we know Erik is gone.
"It's not good for anyone at the club when a manager goes because it means that the position where the team is isn't the best, the results are not the best. We are all disappointed by that, you always have to take a little bit of the blame on yourself."
Back in the studio, Keane said: "These are always awkward interviews for players but I wouldn't have much time and patience for the player to say; 'Listen, sorry, we let you down'. Too little, too late.
"We'll judge what you're doing on the football pitch. I don't think Bruno has done enough in a lot of the games already. He didn't show that leadership. So it would be interesting to hear what Ten Hag has to say about it. But you also have to move on.
"A lot of players don't care that much when a manager goes. They just focus on the next manager and get ready, and look after themselves. Players can be selfish, we know that... but I don't think Bruno done enough as a captain of Man United over the last year or two to help the manager out. Far from it.
"The proof's there with all the results. It's not just on Bruno, of course, but I don't think he showed enough leadership skills when the going's got tough with some of the performances. I don't think Bruno should be too proud of himself, of what's happened to the manager of the last week or two.
"I think the players let the manager down, ultimately."
Given Real Madrid's reported interest in Fernandes, a departure would see him stripped of the captain's armband and move on for new pastures. Keane, in turn, would get his wish in seeing a new leader appointed at Old Trafford, but the club would be losing a key player in doing so.
It's a move United shouldn't even be considering.
