Fernandes the centre of attention - but what next for Man Utd captain?

Bruno Fernandes remained the focal point of attention during a remarkable evening at Croke Park, where Manchester United faced Leeds in a pre-season friendly. The heroism of Fernandes was palpable when his name was announced as one of five substitutes by head coach Michael Carrick during the match. The crowd's enthusiasm would have surged even more had either Fernandes not been ruled offside or if his shot from the edge of the area had found the back of the net.

The overt hero worship reached a point where fans began to approach the pitch to take selfies, causing chaos; however, the match was halted before it could spiral out of control. Fernandes's hero status among United supporters was evident, as he had already demonstrated his worth during last season's Premier League campaign with nine goals and a record 21 assists.

Despite his popularity, the future of the 31-year-old winger remains uncertain, with interest from top European clubs such as Juventus, AC Milan, and Galatasaray, who are aware of his £57m release clause. Fernandes's contract situation adds to the uncertainty, with no agreement yet reached on a new deal, and his preference is understood to be staying at United.

As Manchester United prepares for the new season and seeks to keep a tight rein on their wage bill, the uncertainty surrounding Fernandes's future may prove challenging for the club's hierarchy.