Arsenal icon Ian Wright has launched a stinging critique of Manchester United's hierarchy, insisting the Gunners would sign Bruno Fernandes "tomorrow" following the midfielder's revelation that the club considered selling him.
Fernandes' Future in Doubt After Summer Revelations
The Portuguese playmaker cast major doubt over his future at Old Trafford by claiming that Manchester United were willing to let him leave during the summer transfer window. While the club has insisted Fernandes remained a key part of their plans, the player himself has suggested the opposite was true.
Fernandes, speaking while on international duty earlier this year, stated he felt the club's directors lacked the "courage" to make a definitive decision on his future. "The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head," he revealed, adding that the situation "hurts me a lot."
Wright Slams United's 'Indecisive' Leadership
Weighing in on the controversy, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright blamed United's indecisive leadership for the predicament. Speaking on the popular show The Overlap, Wright dissected Fernandes' comments.
"When you look at Bruno’s quotes, it comes back to Man United being indecisive," Wright said. "So someone comes in for Bruno Fernandes last summer… you shut that down. He didn’t want to go. Bruno is basically saying the club went, ‘it’s up to you if you want to leave’."
Wright argued that such an approach was disrespectful to a player who has been instrumental for the team. "That’s not what you want to hear when you’re the person who has basically held the club up by yourself. You want the club to say, ‘you’re not going nowhere, you’re a massive part of this’. But Manchester United didn’t do that."
An Open Invitation from North London
The former England forward left no doubt about where he believes Fernandes' talents would be welcomed, issuing a clear transfer endorsement. "They gave him the option and said, 'if you want to go, you can go'. What is that saying to him? I would take him tomorrow," Wright declared, referring to a potential move to Arsenal.
This public backing from a Premier League legend adds significant fuel to the speculation surrounding the Manchester United captain's future. Fernandes himself outlined his ultimatum, stating he will only remain at Old Trafford as long as he feels wanted, a sentiment now seemingly undermined by the summer's events.
The midfielder contrasted his own commitment with the behaviour of others at the club, expressing sadness that "players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend the club as much" are treated differently. As the row continues, Wright's comments have positioned Arsenal as a potential suitor should the rift between Fernandes and the United hierarchy prove irreparable.
