Paul Merson "flabbergasted" at how Man Utd handed Bruno Fernandes new contract

Paul Merson has revealed he has been left "flabbergasted" by Manchester United's move to hand Bruno Fernandes a new contract.

United confirmed on Friday that the Portuguese playmaker has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal, which will keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2026. Fernandes' previous deal, which he signed upon joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, ran until 2025.

Despite Fernandes' performances for United since joining the club two years ago, Merson has been left shocked by the club's decision to extend his deal before they appoint a new permanent manager.

Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Merson reacted by saying: “Unbelievable, absolutely, I’m flabbergasted if I’m being honest. I mean you’re giving a four-year contract extension, more money or whatever it may be.

“A manager comes in and he may not like Fernandes, he may not like all the throwing the hands up and moaning at everybody when you don’t get the ball. You know, he might have someone, it might be the lad at Ajax who’s got someone else and thinks ‘I’ve got someone who I want to bring in who wants to play my way’.

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“I’m completely and utterly shocked, I cannot believe what’s happening. Everything is just being done off the cuff. It’s been done off the cuff for the last couple of years at Man United and that is a prime example.

“Unless they’ve got a manager sorted, which I doubt they have, who’s said they want Fernandes, ‘we’ll sign him up’. I’m very shocked, especially that kind of player Jeff, you have to like that kind of player. You’ve got to really like him cause he is a bit of a luxury player, he’s going to make things happen but there’s going to be certain ways, if the lad from Ajax comes in, he plays a certain way. I’m really shocked, I’m majorly shocked.”

Since joining United in 2020, Fernandes has gone on to become a key man at Old Trafford, scoring 49 goals and providing 39 assists in his 117 appearances for the club.

However, United remain without a new permanent manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this season and Ralf Rangnick currently only in charge on an interim basis.

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag has been touted as a potential appointment and has reportedly been interviewed by United officials, whilst Maurico Pochettino has also been linked with the job.

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