{"id":3719,"date":"2026-03-16T13:21:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3719"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:21:15","slug":"jaap-stam-says-man-utd-need-extraordinary-star-to-win-title-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3719","title":{"rendered":"Jaap Stam says Man Utd need ‘extraordinary’ star to win title | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Sunderland\t<\/div>
Bruno Fernandes is an \u2018extraordinary\u2019 presence at Manchester United, says Jaap Stam (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jaap Stam says Manchester United must do everything in their power to keep Bruno Fernandes at the club so they can \u2018make the next step\u2019 and win the Premier League title.<\/p>\n

Fernandes has been nothing short of a revelation since joining United from Sporting for an initial fee of around \u00a347million back in 2020.<\/p>\n

Hailed by many as United\u2019s greatest signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, the 31-year-old has racked up 105 goals and 103 appearances in 319 appearances for the club.<\/p>\n

Fernandes\u2019 extraordinary contribution has seen the attacking midfielder clinch the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four occasions \u2013 putting him level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most wins in history.<\/p>\n

The Portugal international appears a shoo-in to claim the prize for a record-breaking fifth time this season, with only Erling Haaland (29) bettering his goal contribution tally (23) in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the United skipper continued his magnificent run of form as Michael Carrick\u2019s men ran out 3-1 victors over fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa. <\/p>\n

Though Fernandes was not on the scoresheet at Old Trafford, he was a threat throughout and set up both Casemiro and Matheus Cunha to take him beyond David Beckham\u2019s all-time assists record for an individual season.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tYour football fix\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n

Sign up here, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Fernandes assisted United\u2019s two opening goals in Sunday\u2019s win over Villa (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
The Portugal international has provided 16 assists in the league this season (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018He is extraordinary, putting in players in front of goal and you need to have these players,\u2019 ex-United and Netherlands defender Stam told Viaplay shortly after the final whistle.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have a lot of discussions about Bruno and what he is and his mentality and how he can react to his team-mates at times.<\/p>\n

\u2018But when you see his quality on the ball and putting player sin front of goal, it\u2019s extraordinary.<\/p>\n

\u2018You need to have these players in your team otherwise you\u2019re never going to make that next step to win the title.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

\t\t\t\t\t

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupports HTML5
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fernandes has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League since as far back as 2023 and the midfielder told the Portuguese press in December that this season could be his last with United.<\/p>\n

The former Sporting man is tied into a contract with United until 2027, but a release clause in his contract means he could leave for a fee of around \u00a357 million. <\/p>\n

After this weekend\u2019s victory over Villa, Carrick insisted everyone involved with United wanted their talisman and captain to stay put.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Fernandes is among the favourites to be named PFA Player of the Year this term (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018In terms of the club and moving forward, it\u2019s difficult for me to get involved in too much of that,\u2019 the United interim manager told reporters.<\/p>\n

\u2018Bruno is definitely not someone we\u2019d want to lose, I can say that.<\/p>\n

\u2018This summer and beyond that, it\u2019s difficult for me to kind of go too far with that.<\/p>\n

\u2018But certainly, he\u2019s important for us and he\u2019s definitely not one we would want to lose.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Carrick\u2019s men moved to within seven points of City by the end of the weekend (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carrick was also asked about Casemiro\u2019s situation and whether or not the veteran Brazil midfielder could be persuaded into staying on for another year at the Theatre of Dreams.<\/p>\n

Asked if there was any chance Casemiro could perform a U-turn on his decision, the ex-England midfielder replied: \u2018I think, in some ways, it\u2019s difficult to say.<\/p>\n

\u2018When something is decided, in some ways, the fact that it\u2019s decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think the impact he\u2019s had has been terrific, certainly since I\u2019ve been here and working with him, and his influence in the team and big moments in goals.<\/p>\n

\u2018And I think it was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters, and having that connection and the respect.<\/p>\n

\u2018That was a nice moment and I think he\u2019ll enjoy that.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: \u00a3130million Champions League star told to snub Arsenal and join Chelsea<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Chelsea \u2018knock on door\u2019 of \u00a326m Bayern Munich star to discuss summer transfer<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Jack Grealish praises \u2018absolutely unbelievable\u2019 Man Utd star after Aston Villa win<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\tComments<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<\/span>
\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n
\n
\n

Football Newsletter \u2013 In The Mixer<\/h4>\n

Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro’s football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n