‘We’re already at April 1st!’: Man United star Bruno Fernandes laughs off speculation in Portuguese media linking him with Barcelona – amid turbulent season at Old Trafford
- Bruno Fernandes was linked with a sensational move to Barcelona last week
- But the Manchester United midfielder has brushed off the speculation
- He joked it was ‘already April 1st’ after the report from Portuguese media
- Fernandes has endured a difficult season with United amid a loss of top form
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has laughed off a rumoured move to Barcelona, joking that it must be April Fools’ Day following a report from Portuguese media linking him to the Nou Camp.
Fernandes is not enjoying the best of seasons by any stretch, failing to match his previous highs by netting just once since September, despite being the club’s top scorer on 28 strikes last season.
The club are enduring a turbulent spell this term after some woeful results, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting the sack and now interim coach Ralf Rangnick finds himself under scrutiny too – with Fernandes among the crop of players in the firing line for some poor recent displays.
Bruno Fernandes has laughed off speculation from Portugal linking him with Barcelona
The Manchester United midfielder said it must be April Fools’ Day after the report’s publication
Sportsmail reported last week that up to 17 United stars are unsettled at Old Trafford amid fears of an exodus next summer that includes Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek – with a lowly atmosphere in the dressing room and even Rangnick shocked at the poor state the club finds itself in.
The discontent at United led to reports from Portuguese outlet SportTV claiming the Portuguese ace was a target for LaLiga giants Barcelona on their official Instagram page, leading Fernandes to get involved by rejecting the reports.
The post attached to the story read: ‘Bruno Fernandes [has] been offered to Barcelona. Would it do [him well] to trade the Red Devils for Culers?’
Fernandes responded by writing: ‘And I thought the new year only started a few days ago, yet we’re already on April 1!
Fernandes has struggled to recreate his best form this season, scoring once since September
‘Or is this once again just bad journalism?’
Fernandes has five goals and three assists in the Premier League, with five more assists coming in the Champions League.
The 27-year-old’s struggles were summed up after he missed a great opportunity to score against Wolves last time out as he smashed an effort against the bar from close range.
Former Red Devils forward Andy Cole said he has ‘not been the same player’ since Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the club.
‘It’s been funny at the moment. Ronaldo’s come back and it’s like [Bruno’s] whole game has changed,’ he said.
‘I looked at him this season, since Ronaldo’s come back and he hasn’t been the same player he was last season.
‘And you look at that and think – why? He has the quality, he shouldn’t worry about whether Ronaldo’s in the team because they’re both quality players who want the same thing.
‘But his form has changed since Ronaldo has come back.’
