Cole Palmer is not an upgrade on Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United must do everything to keep him

Manchester United cannot cash in on Bruno Fernandes this summer – Cole Palmer is a level below the Portugal international.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Chief Football Correspondent Alex Crook, who believes the Red Devils skipper is still the main man at Old Trafford.

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The 31-year-old is enjoying yet another fine season on a personal level – chipping in with five goals and ten assists from 20 Premier League outings.

No player has registered more assists than the attacking midfielder in the top-flight this term, with Fernandes flourishing under United’s interim boss Michael Carrick.

But there are doubts as to whether his long-term futures lies at the Theatre of Dreams, where is contracted to until 2027.

It was only in December which saw Fernandes claim the board were willing to ship him off to Saudi Arabia last summer.

Storm Bru-ing?

And with the player boasting a £57million release clause in his contract that foreign clubs can trigger in the summer, there are fears he could look to move on at the end of the campaign.

His uncertainty has led to speculation that Chelsea star Palmer could be an option to replace him.

A known boyhood supporter of United, the Manchester native has struggled for form this term amid a niggling groin injury, which could lead to surgery,

Whispers that Palmer is unsettled in west London continue to gain momentum, though he is not seen as a priority player due to United’s focus being elsewhere.

With Brazilian cult hero Casemiro to leave as a free agent, talkSPORT understands Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson are being eyed up by United.

And when speaking on talkSPORT’s Inside Devils YouTube show, Crook gave his two cents on rumours linking Palmer with United – and why it shouldn’t happen.

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Having his say on whether Palmer would welcome a move to Old Trafford, he said: “Well listen, he’s never someone that plays with a smile on their face.

“But I think you look at his demeanour and his body language when I’ve been at Stamford Bridge recently, and he looks like he’d rather be anywhere else now.

“And I think that’s partly because he’s not fully fit and maybe doesn’t trust his body, so he’s not able to put a complete shift in which is frustrating.

“But I do think very much he’s a Manchester boy, Wythenshawe-born, spends a lot of time still up in the North West, so I think if he got the opportunity to go back, then it’s certainly one he’d consider.

“I don’t think he’s seen as a priority position for United in the summer, we know they want to strengthen in midfield.

“But the three names still very much on their list are Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, and as I’ve said before, I wouldn’t rule out trying to sign two of these three.

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“So I don’t really see where they get the money for Cole Palmer, but if Bruno Fernandes goes, there’s a possibility that maybe there will be a role there for him.

“But Chelsea are going to demand will in excess of £100million, so I just don’t see how it stacks up for United.

“And it opens up a separate debate on Bruno Fernandes, who I thought was brilliant again against Arsenal.

“His range of passing, his bravery on the ball, his ability to turn defence into attack.

“Now that Michael Carrick is playing him in his proper position [No.10], I think we’ve got to pull out all the stops to keep Bruno Fernandes.

“If you said to me now, on form, ‘Would you rather keep an ageing Bruno Fernandes or bring in a younger model in Cole Palmer?’

“I’m going to stick with Bruno.”

It was a view shared by talkSPORT’s Angelina Kelly, who declared that Fernandes is ‘irreplaceable’, and someone you can always rely on.

Kelly remarked: “It’s a really difficult one, I want to make it clear that Cole Palmer, on his day, is a fantastic footballer.

“He clearly does have a lot of talent, he’s had some wonderful moments, but the problem here is, he’s injured, he needs surgery.

“Manchester United, as much as there are so many issues with the owners, you’d like to think that they would know better than to buy an injured player, and almost do another Mason Mount situation.

“It’s not Cole Palmer’s fault, he clearly does have an issue, but I do think it’s a risk to bring in a player that has had so many struggles this season, I do feel bad for him.

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“To bring him in, I think is a risk, I understand the idea, Bruno Fernandes is 31, so long-term, Cole Palmer is 23, that idea of bringing in someone younger in and the changing of the guard eventually is something that we should do.

“But you look at Bruno Fernandes, he’s 31, you know exactly what you get with him, you know exactly what he can do, also, we do have other people that can fit into that role.

“I’m not saying they’re as good as Bruno Fernandes, but we do have players that can play in his position, so it’s not like we have a drought there, and we do need to prioritise somebody more in that midfield, especially with the Casemiro news.

“And also, Bruno Fernandes does not get injured, he has an amazing record.”

Angelina added: “So as much as I appreciate the talent of Cole Palmer, as things stand, I agree with Crook, I think you almost don’t want to upset the apple cart.

“We know exactly what we’re getting with Bruno Fernandes, he has shown up for this club time and time again.

“I understand if people come knocking and there’s a certain amount of money on the table, I get why the hierarchy would maybe look at it.

“But I just think at the moment for us, he’s irreplaceable.”