Joe Cole urges Man Utd star to leave this summer: ‘He’s run his race’ | Football

Joe Cole believes that the time is right for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to seek a fresh challenge away from the constant criticism he faces at Old Trafford.

Fernandes is one of few United players to have emerged with any credit so far this season in what has proved another challenging campaign for the Red Devils.

The United skipper has been in especially fine form as of late, notching up eight goals and three assists in his last seven games in all competitions.

Despite that, the Portuguese international has still come in for criticism, with former United skipper Roy Keane insisting the 30-year-old as ‘not a fighter’ nor capable of providing the leadership required to turn around United’s fortunes.

Cole, meanwhile, believes Fernandes is a ‘fantastic’ player, but urged the midfielder to leave United this summer for a club capable of winning trophies and where his talents will be more appreciated.

‘If I’m Bruno Fernandes, I’d absolutely be looking for a move away from Manchester United,’ the former Chelsea and England winger told Paddy Power.

‘He’s the first butterfly and he’s getting all the arrows from everyone. He must go home at night and wonder why everyone is digging him out when he’s the only one pulling his weight in this team.

‘There are others doing okay but he is literally dragging that club through this dire moment. When all is said and done and Bruno leaves United and maybe they return to the top, they’ll look back at this era and the only shining light will be Bruno Fernandes.’

Cole continued: ‘He’s a fantastic footballer and you could put him into most teams, and he’d thrive, but I don’t think he’s won a league in his career and he needs to go and prove to himself that he can play in a top side because he’s run his race at Manchester United.

‘He should leave that club with everyone; the owners, fans and the manager giving him his flowers because he gets all the stick.

‘And that’s part and parcel of being a Manchester United footballer but how must he feel when he’s getting all the pelters despite being the one with the goals, assists and driving the team forwards.

‘He’s a fabulous player and if I was him, I’d be looking to go and play in a team capable of winning trophies.’

Following his latest man-of-the-match display against Leicester City last weekend, Fernandes issued a response to Keane’s criticisms and said his words only served as further motivation to continue improving.

‘Obviously, it’s not nice to hear those things about you, I think no one likes that. But at the same time, it motivates and makes you think people think there’s a lot of things you have to improve,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘You have to take it in a positive way, and think whatever people are saying, if there’s a margin for improvement or not. I know you’re talking about Roy Keane. I have huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains the club had. An amazing player for the club, won basically everything for this club.

‘It’s the way he thinks about me as a player, as a captain. I have to respect that. I try to do the things in my own way to be not the best captain but person and team-mate as I can. I do it every day. I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the pitch.

‘But obviously, not everyone will like (it), not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone. I have accept there is a lot of margin for improvement in my game and my leadership.’

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