MANCHESTER UNITED calamitous loss to Burnley could be a good thing if it means they finally cough up for Bruno Fernandes, according to Paul Scholes.
Goals from Jay Rodriguez and Chris Wood stunned the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Wednesday night but there could be a silver lining.
Scholes wants to see some good come of the defeatCredit: EPA
The deal to finally sign Fernandes appears far from completeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Former midfield star Scholes hopes that United hierarchy see it as a clear sign that they need to get the Fernandes deal over the line.
Recent reports suggested the Manchester giants are still negotiating with Sporting CP over the playmaker.
Scholes told the Premier League channel: “Too often this season Manchester United have had two good results and then had two or three bad results.
“That performance tonight might do [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] a favour in the transfer market.
“It might spur the club on to spend that few extra million on the players they’re looking at like Bruno Fernandes.
“It might get done tomorrow because of this. He needs more bodies in the building. He’s got some big injuries so he needs help.
“The club need to help him now. I fear for the next few weeks because the injured players aren’t coming back for a while. He’s stuck with these players for now unless they sign anyone.”
United boss Solskjaer had only Jesse Lingard as the nearest thing to a central midfielder on his bench last night, with Nemanja Matic, Fred and Juan Mata starting.
Without Paul Pogba or Scott McTominay, he recently lost Marcus Rashford for a number of weeks while still competing in four competitions.
Speaking of the injuries after the 2-0 defeat, Rio Ferdinand admitted Solskjaer can only do so much.
The ex-United defender told BT Sport: “I will give him a little backing in one sense: injuries to big players. McTominay was the outstanding player before he got injured.
“Pogba’s a huge player, most expensive player here, now Rashford is injured in the form of his life. So he’s had some big players injured, but still the big amount of money that has been spent to come off the wings.
“We’re relying on an 18-year-old at half time to come on and change our fortunes, that’s where we’re at.”
There appears to be no end in sight with Fernandes still playing for Sporting amid ongoing talks.
Agent Jorge Mendes has admitted he “doesn’t know” if the Portugal international will leave Lisbon this month or in the summer.
And even Jose Mourinho teased a reporter over the inactivity in the deal, which many had suggested was on the verge of completion weeks ago.
Bruno Fernandes snubs Sporting fans as he shoves camera to leave the pitch
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
