Paul Scholes names Man Utd star Ruben Amorim must refuse to sell in summer overhaul

Paul Scholes has underlined Manchester United’s need to keep Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford ahead of an overhaul with Saudi Arabia keen on the Portugal playmaker

Paul Scholes insists Manchester United have to retain Bruno Fernandes amid talk of interest from Saudi Arabia. In what has been a dire season the Portuguese playmaker has been a shining light.

United are open to selling almost every player on their books as Ruben Amorim looks to lead a much needed overhaul. Even academy star Kobbie Mainoo could be moved on should the club receive an offer they deem suitable.

Fernandes is perhaps their most prized asset and would command the greatest fee in the market, but Scholes is adamant he must be retained at any cost, despite the riches than could be waved United’s way from Saudi Arabia. They have spare cash after missing out on Mohamed Salah.

United’s skipper has scored 19 times in all competitions – his highest number since his first full season – and continues to produce in the big moments. Scholes has claimed that Fernandes has to be the player the club build their team around.

He told TNT Sports: “Bruno Fernandes has to stay because he’s the best player. He’s involved in nearly everything that Manchester United do well. Sometimes there’s not a lot you can do when there’s such a big demand from the Saudi league, who would pay ridiculous money.

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“It’s quite clear that they need to keep him and build a team around him. It’s just whether they get the option to do that with having money to buy new players and adding space in the squad to bring new players in.

“With the deals that the club have done in the last few years, it’s going to be very difficult for Amorim to get rid of people. If you get into the Champions League, it’s going to be quite easy to bring people in, but at the same time, you’ve got to get people out and that’s going to be the hardest part of his job.”

Amorim has maintained that United want to retain Fernandes and will not be allowing him to leave this summer. “I think it is easy to understand [his importance], not just because of the numbers but the way he plays, the importance that he has during his five years here,” he said.

“He is a top player, we need top players. He is a leader, he’s the captain, so he’s really important. It’s normal that a lot of clubs want a player like Bruno, like [Alejandro] Garnacho, like others, but we want to keep the best players, and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world, so our idea didn’t change. We want Bruno here.”

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