Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been encouraged to swap Old Trafford for the Allianz Arena and link up with Harry Kane, with former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen billing him as the “perfect fit” for Bayern Munich. Meulensteen believes Fernandes' footballing intelligence and creativity would allow him to easily slot into Vincent Kompany’s blistering Bayern setup and potentially help Kane rack up more goals.
Getty ImagesKane leading Kompany revolution at Bayern
Since making his switch from Tottenham in the summer of 2023, Kane has enhanced his standing as one of the best centre-forwards in world football with his prolific goal output and playmaking skills. In Bayern's 2-1 win against Borussia Dortmund last weekend, which extended their perfect start to the season, he delivered a masterclass, not only scoring the first goal and his 12th in the Bundesliga this season, but also dropping deep to create attacks, commanding the forward line, and even tracking back to defend. Kompany’s system has unlocked every facet of the England captain’s game, and Meulensteen believes Fernandes could add an extra creative spark from midfield to elevate Bayern’s game even further.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCould Bruno's head be turned in 2026?
Meulensteen was speaking to CasinoHawks, who offer the latest online casinos, and said: ”Fernandes would fit the profile of Bayern Munich perfectly, with his intelligence, technique, and tremendous passing. He has been exceptional for Manchester United, arguably their best player during two turbulent seasons, and now he's surrounded by better teammates."
While Bayern’s interest grows, Fernandes has already proven he’s not swayed by money. Over the summer, he was heavily courted by clubs in Saudi Arabia, with reports suggesting offers worth a staggering £33 million a year in wages. Despite the financial lure, Fernandes made it clear he had no interest in leaving United. The Portuguese playmaker wanted stability and hence chose to remain in Manchester for at least one more season.
“I didn't close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup," he said. "That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That's all there is to it.”
However, when pressed about his long-term future, Fernandes refused to commit and said: "I like to enjoy the moment, and the most important thing for me now is representing the national team, because it's a source of enormous pride to be able to play tomorrow [Saturday], and I still don't know if I'll play, let alone if I'll leave Manchester United in a year. I'm happy where I am. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed, but it's something that doesn't affect me.”
Commitment not in question
At 31 years old, Fernandes remains at the peak of his powers and arguably United's most consistent performer. However, it has been reported that Bayern could try to tempt the club into a sale, particularly if head coach Ruben Amorim plans to rebuild and invest in younger talent, amid links with midfielders like Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.
"Regarding the £40 million rumoured fee, it would be a great acquisition for Bayern Munich," Meulensteen said. "But, Bruno has clearly stated his reasons for declining a move to Saudi Arabia, which speaks volumes about his commitment to Manchester United. A transfer would only happen if Manchester United were willing to sell him at that price, perhaps to bring in another player. They would undoubtedly be losing a valuable asset."
Getty Images SportUnited slowly improving under Amorim
United have shown flickers of revival in recent weeks after a turbulent start to the season and a dismal 15th-place finish in the previous Premier League campaign. The Red Devils have secured back-to-back league victories for the first time under Amorim, a gritty 2-1 win over Liverpool that preceded another hard-fought triumph against Sunderland before the international break, and Fernandes was in the thick of things. There is little doubt that Bayern will have to shell out a significant amount to land Fernandes, maybe even more than the speculated £40m. If the Bavarians do come calling, United fans will be hoping their captain’s loyalty endures. But in football’s ever-changing landscape, even devotion has its limits.