Teddy Sheringham names the two players Man Utd should sign to replace Bruno Fernandes | Football

Teddy Sheringham fears Manchester United could be tempted into parting company with Bruno Fernandes this summer if they receive a tempting enough offer.

The United skipper has been in sensational form this season and particularly since the arrival of Michael Carrick as interim manager in January.

Fernandes’ form has helped power United towards Champions League qualification andwin over Leeds United at Old Trafford tonight would see Carrick’s improving side take a major step towards sealing a place in Europe’s elite club competition next season.

Whether the Portugal international will remain at the Theatre of Dreams, however, remains the subject of much conjecture.

The 31-year-old’s current contract expires next summer and although his club retains the option to extend that deal by a further 12 months, the upcoming transfer window represents the last chance for United to attract a significant fee.

Were Fernandes to depart after seven years at United and over a century of goals, a huge void would be created not only in the creativity department but in terms of leadership as well.

Sheringham, however, argues that the former Sporting Lisbon star might be further liberated were he free of the captaincy role but argued that were United looking to move on then two Premier League ready stars could fit the bill.

‘I think he’s been phenomenal, but I still don’t think he’s captain material,’ Sheringham told  BestBettingSites. ‘I think he’d be better if he wasn’t captain.

‘His performances over the last three years have been unbelievable, leading by example — and I know that’s what captains do — but he’s probably a little bit too much of a flair player to be captain in my opinion. 

‘There have been flair players who’ve been captains in great teams, but I prefer consistent central midfielders or centre-halves as captains, and then just let the flair players do their thing – don’t give them the responsibility to run the team as well. 

‘It’d be interesting. If you get good money for him, you could maybe buy two players coming into their prime.

‘I don’t know what they’d get for Fernandes, but if you could get Anderson and half of Gibbs-White, you’d probably take that.’

Regardless of where Fernandes starts next season, Sheringham was emphatic when asked whether he would like to see Carrick be offered the manager’s job on a full-time basis.

‘Yes, without a doubt,’ he said when asked if Carrick should be installed on a permanent basis. ‘I think it’s been phenomenal. For me, he’s done an unbelievable job to turn things around so quickly. I like his manner as a manager — very composed.

‘You can be composed when things are going well — like Slot last year — but when results turn, that gets tested. But I like Carrick’s composure and the way he leads himself and leads Manchester United.

‘I think he’s perfect for the role. I would love to see him offered the job on a full-time basis, ideally before the end of the season so United can go into the summer with total clarity. There’s been a few too many summers at the club where the manager’s future is in doubt and we’ve seen the negative effect that can have on the place.

‘It creates too much uncertainty for the players that are in the building and the players the club wants to sign.

‘He hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel. He’s kept things simple, put his best players in the team and reverted to a brand of football that the players understand fully.

‘There shouldn’t be anyone else in the conversation for the United role based on what Michael has achieved since he walked through the door.’

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