'Thinking the unthinkable is part of the plan'

It is impossible to imagine what state Manchester United would be in now without Bruno Fernandes. Relegation might have been a real fear.

Ruben Amorim has also said he wants to keep his best players and Fernandes is one of them.

However, Amorim said the club had to be "brave" when it came to assessing future decisions.

Fernandes is at his peak. But United need to manipulate their finances to build something for the future. Thinking the unthinkable is part of the plan.

Fernandes' exit - given clear interest in him elsewhere - might have to be part of that.