Bruno Fernandes names player Man Utd stars shocked Erik ten Hag sold | Soccer

Bruno Fernandes has hinted that Manchester United’s senior players had difficulty understanding the decision to sell one of the club’s most promising young players over the summer.

The Red Devils have made a subpar start to the campaign despite significant investment during the transfer window which saw players such as Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte join the club.

Ten Hag’s position is once again under threat, but the Dutchman continues to rely on a core group of youngsters, including players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

Given that the Dutchman has been willing to throw inexperienced players into the heat of battle on several occasions during his tenure, it came as a surprise that he was willing to let the talented Maxi Oyedele join Legia Warsaw at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a promising spell on loan at Forest Green last season, which many, including Fernandes, saw as a prelude to greater things.

The United captain and Oyedele clashed on Saturday as Portugal faced Poland in the Nations League, as the teenager made his senior international debut.

Oyedele exchanged shirts with his former teammate and captain after the game, a reunion that Fernandes marked with a photo on Instagram accompanied by a caption that read ‘Happy to see you doing great things. You deserve all the best, boy.

Fernandes also spoke about him in the post-match interview, telling TVP: ‘I think he was always one of the players that everyone at the club thought would move from the academy into the first team.

‘He has great qualities, he’s a great kid and very humble.’

Midfielder Oyedele was a key part of the United team that won the FA Youth Cup two years ago and looked set to remain part of Ten Hag’s plans when he featured during pre-season.

The Salford-born star, who has a Polish mother and Nigerian father, was surprisingly deemed surplus to requirements, but United’s loss was largely Legia’s gain.

Regarding his surprising departure from Old Trafford and his talent, Legia coach Gonçalo Feio said: ‘Oyedele’s quality on the ball, his character in maintaining possession and his tactical awareness when he must dribble or playing are simply significant attributes.

“Bruno even commented that he was surprised by United’s decision to sell him – given Oyedele’s performance during pre-season.

‘His physical readiness, agility and ability to use his body effectively are excellent.

“While fans love to see what he can do with the ball, Maxi brings physicality to our midfield.

“It is our responsibility to promote its development. Polish football stands to gain immensely from his talent.”

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