United handing Fernandes new four-year deal is STRANGE, says Merson

Arsenal icon Paul Merson has labelled the decision to give Bruno Fernandes a new four-year contract as ‘strange’, with the Portuguese star reportedly now earning around £240,000 a week.

United announced on Friday that the Portuguese star had committed his long-term future to the club having agreed fresh terms until June 2026, with an option to extend it by a further year.

But while Fernandes has left United chiefs impressed and has been rewarded as such, Merson believes the timing of the new contract is a ‘big call’ given they haven’t decided on who will be taking over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick in the summer.

‘Bruno Fernandes’ contract situation is an interesting one and pretty much sums up where Manchester United are as a club at the moment,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.

‘I’m not saying he’s a bad player by any stretch of the imagination, but how can they give someone a five-year contract when they haven’t even got a permanent manager?

‘What if a new manager comes in and doesn’t quite fancy Fernandes, because there’s every chance coaches won’t like the way he throws his hands up in frustration or his style of play.