Captain Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United has been encouraged to leave the club to strive for trophies from Joe Cole, while the former midfielder of Chelsea claimed that the star has run his race in the club.
Fernandes scored 16 goals and gave 15 assists in all competitions for Man United this season, where the midfielder continues to contribute despite the fight of the Red Devils.
The 30-year-old scored a crucial hat trick against Real Sociedad to help Man United to reach the Europa League quart finals and keep their season alive.
However, Fernandes has had to deal with explosive criticism from the skipper Roy Keane of former Red Devils about his leadership on the side.
Cole, who spoke to Paddy Power, suggested that Fernandes must be frustrated in receiving criticism, despite the fact that he is the radiant light of Man United.
The former midfielder of Chelsea and Liverpool claimed Fernandes, who scored 95 goals and has provided 81 assists in 277 games for Man United, should play for a team that is able to win trophies.
'If I am Bruno Fernandes, I would definitely be looking for a relocation of Manchester United. He is the first butterfly and he gets all the arrows from everyone, “said Cole.
'He has to go home at night and wonder why everyone goes out when he is the only one who pulls his weight in this team.
'There are others good, but he literally drags that club through this serious moment. When everything is said and done and Bruno remains united and maybe they come back to the top, they will look back on this era and the only radiant light will be Bruno Fernandes.
'He is a fantastic football player and you could put him in most teams, and he would thrive, but I don't think he won a competition in his career and he has to prove that he can play in the top because he has run his race in Manchester United.
“He should leave that club with everyone; The owners, fans and the manager give him his flowers because he gets all the stick. And that is a part of being a Manchester united football player, but how should he feel when he gets all the polders, even though he is the one with the goals, helps and the team forward.
“He is a fantastic player and if I was him, I would like to play in a team that is able to win trophies.”
Since the signing for Man United, Fernandes has been part of a competitiveup side in 2023 and the FA Cup was abolished last May.
The Red Devils were unable to challenge the club during his time, with their nearest attempt a second place in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side was 12 points of the pace of the winners Man City.
Man United finished eighth in the top flight last season and is currently getting away in the bottom half with nine more games to play.
Former Man United Captain Keane spent Fernandes last month, because he encouraged the Portuguese midfielder to show more fighting qualities in the midst of the club's struggles.
'Talent is not enough! You keep going back to talent – Bruno is a talented player, but it's not enough! “He said, on the stick to the football podcast, offered you by Sky Bet.
'With whom were you in the dressing room, Tony Adams! Tony Adams was this, Tony Adams was that because he was a hunter!
“You have young players who have to look at someone and go” I like what he is doing “. They can't put the ball in the top of the net from 25 meters, I understand that, but you want someone who goes “guys, are you with me? Are you with me?”
Ian Wright defended Fernandes in the midst of Keane's Tirade, and insisted that United would be in danger to invade the championship without their captain.
“Maybe he is not that kind of captain, Roy, I am with you, but what he does in respect for … Save you who play pass, the goal,” said Wright after United's 2-2 draw at Everton.
“If Bruno is not there, United is in the relegation fight.”
Speaking after the 3-0 victory of Man United on Leicester on Sunday, Fernandes was asked if he was injured or motivated by Keane's comments.
“I think both,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. 'It is clearly not nice to hear those things about you, I think nobody likes that. But at the same time it motivates and makes you think that people think that there are many things you need to improve.
'You have to take it in a positive way and think that what people say, whether there is a margin for improvement or not. I know you're talking about Roy Keane. I have enormous respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains the club had. A great player for the club, actually won everything for this club.
“It's the way he thinks of me as a player as a player. I have to respect that. I try to do things in my own way not to be the best leader, but person and teammate if I can. I do it every day. I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the field.
'But clear, not everyone will (it) like it, not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect all the opinion of everyone. I have to accept that there is a lot of margin for improvement in my game and my leadership. '
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