02/04/2025

WEDNESDAY | APR 2, 2025

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R UBEN AMORIM has told Bruno Fernandes he is “not going anywhere” amid fresh speculation over the Manchester United captain’s future. The 30-year-old has arguably been the best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, scoring 95 goals in 277 appearances since joining from Portuguese giants Sporting in 2020. Fernandes was handed the captaincy 20 months ago and, having spoken to the club after receiving an offer to leave, signed a new deal until at least 2027 last year. The Portugal international has been linked with a £90 million (RM495m) move to Real Madrid in recent days, but Amorim said “no, it’s not going to happen” when that report was put to him. The United boss revealed he has said as much to the player but knows they must strive to meet the skipper’s ambitions to win the biggest prizes. “That is the challenge,” Amorim said. “I want Bruno here because maybe in the lowest moments of our season (he impressed). “We want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players to continue with us. “He’s 29, I think, but he’s still so young because he plays 55 games every season. “Between assists and goals, he’s there for 30 at least so he’s the type of player we want here so he’s not going anywhere.” Asked how he could speak about Fernandes with such certainty, Amorim said: “We are in control of the situation and I feel that he is really happy here. “Especially because he understands what we want to do and then I think he is one more supporter of Manchester United. He really feels it. “Sometimes the frustration that you see, everybody sees, and says maybe it’s not a good thing in a captain, it’s a sign that he wants this so bad. “This is the kind of player that we want and he’s not going anywhere because I’ve already told him!” Fernandes has scored 16 times in all competitions this season while no other United player has reached double figures. In the final week before the most recent international break, Fernandes scored five goals, including a hattrick in the Europa League last-16 victory over Real Sociedad.

Rashford, who has made an encouraging start to a loan stint with Aston Villa that runs until the summer. The 27-year-old scored his first goals since the move in Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal win at Preston, which came hot on the heels of his England return.

Amorim omitted Rashford for 13 games before his loan move to Villa, only putting the forward on the bench for one of them, after criticising his performances in training. “I know Rashford really well and everybody knows the talent that he has, so I already spoke about that,” Amorim said of Rashford.

‘Bruno not going anywhere’ Amorim shuts door on Real interest in Man Utd captain Fernandes

“He’s a top player, if he wants, so I’m not surprised and it’s the same with Antony (at Real Betis). “Rashford is not my player at the moment but every player that performs well on loan is good news for my club so I am happy with that.” The United

manager’s “if he wants” remark once again called into question the player’s application. He had

previously said in January: “He has to change. In this moment we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad. “I have nothing against

Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody. I will not put (in) any player that doesn’t give the maximum.” Villa manager Unai Emery, when asked if a decision has been made to sign Rashford after the win at Preston, said: “Not yet.” Rashford himself explained of his return to form: “I think I can get fitter, I missed a lot of football before joining up with Villa. “My body feels good, injury free and just enjoying my football for now. It’s a great feeling, I feel like I’ve been slowly getting better and playing better football since I’ve been here.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers

Only Mohammed Salah (54) and Erling Haaland (33) have more than Fernandes’ combination of 31 goals and assists in the Premier League this term. Fernandes’ future is certainly clearer than the likes of Marcus

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