Bruno Fernandes? "That's a question for Sporting's board" says Marcel Keizer
Bruno Fernandes was the topic of conversation following Sporting Clube de Portugal's 5-0 rout at the hands of Benfica in the Portuguese Super Cup.
Sporting Clube de Portugal head coach Marcel Keizer said Bruno Fernandes' future is a question for the club's board amid ongoing links to Manchester United.
Could this be goodbye?
Fernandes has been tipped to join United throughout the transfer window and talk of a switch to Old Trafford has gathered pace with the Premier League season on the horizon. Sunday's Portuguese Super Cup – which Sporting lost 5-0 at the hands of rivals Benfica – was widely seen as a potential Fernandes farewell before leaving Lisbon.
Portugal international Fernandes was a topic of conversation post-match and Keizer told reporters: "Bruno Fernandes is an important player. Will he stay? It's not a question for me, but for the management."
Super Cup nightmare
Fernandes scored 20 goals – 31 in all competitions – and supplied 13 assists in the Primeira Liga last season as Sporting finished third. The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Sporting were humiliated by Primeira Liga champions Benfica on Sunday. Pizzi scored a brace, while Rafa Silva, Alex Grimaldo and Chiquinho were also on target against Sporting, who had Idrissa Doumbia sent off in the 89th minute.
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"It's a night to forget," Keizer added. "We had a good chance to score, but we couldn't. We never gave up trying to score even after we were losing by two and three goals. Benfica also created a lot of chances and managed to score. It will be a very difficult week, but we have a match for the championship next week and we have to prepare it."
New season starts
Keizer's Sporting open their league campaign away to Maritimo on Sunday.