Rio Ferdinand tells Man United where to spend possible Bruno Fernandes Saudi sale money
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Tue 23 September 2025 18:00, UK
Man United should already be looking ahead to the future despite Bruno Fernandes turning down a move away from Old Trafford this summer.
Fernandes informed Cristiano Ronaldo of his decision not to leave for Saudi Arabia last month, having received three different offers from high-profile clubs in the Middle East.
It has certainly been a very difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign, and without the talented playmaker, Ruben Amorim would be under even more pressure after a torrid few opening results.
The 31-year-old Portugal international has been United’s star man over the last five seasons, and Fernandes even netted his 100th goal for the club against Chelsea on Saturday, 20 September.
Despite all of this, the interest in his services is unlikely to go away ahead of the upcoming couple of transfer windows, and Rio Ferdinand has not shut down the idea of selling the captain to a Saudi team.
“If what I want is available, which I think can enhance the team in other areas, I’d probably make that call, yeah, and because of his age.
I’d probably take it,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents (22 September).
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“I’m taking [Carlos] Baleba and [Adam] Wharton.
We’d have been relegated without him last season.”
The 31-year-old already has two goals to his name this season, but with Kobbie Mainoo struggling to feature and Casemiro coming to the end of his career, Amorim desperately needs to improve in other areas.
While Wharton has experienced his fair share of injury setbacks at Selhurst Park, he has continued to attract interest from some of the biggest clubs across Europe.
Man United wanted to sign Baleba during the summer, but with £100m being cited as his transfer value, the Red Devils were quickly blown out of the race for his signature.
2024/25 Premier League statsCarlos Baleba at BrightonAdam Wharton at Crystal PalaceBruno Fernandes at Man UnitedMinutes played267013263024Goal / Assists3/10/28/10Passing accuracy87.978%81.5%Duels won per 906.714.345.18Recoveries per 906.646.926.34Possession won in final 3rd per 900.670.680.77Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton compared to Bruno Fernandes in 2024-25.
Selling Fernandes, however, would provide Amorim with the perfect start to raising the money needed to sign both of these players, whether that be in the same window or in different ones.
It is clear to see what area of the pitch they excel in, and with United’s current midfielder only dropping further and further back, it is imperative that the club improve drastically as soon as possible.