Bruno Fernandes says he will be happy for Cristiano Ronaldo whether or not he leaves Manchester United.
Ronaldo, 37, wants to leave Old Trafford before transfer deadline day on September 1, after the club's failure to secure a Champions League place last season. Ronaldo was left on the bench for the 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Monday night, as new manager Erik ten Hag's decision proved to be an inspired one with the Red Devils picking up their first win under the Dutchman.
In contrast, Fernandes played all 90 minutes of the pulsating win, after which he shed light on his superstar teammate's transfer saga. "There is a lot of speculation, but there is no one better than Cristiano to talk about it," Fernandes told Eleven Sports Portugal. "I may know a thing or two, but I won't be the one to say it.
"Cristiano is calm. He worked well this week and did the work he has been doing, which he will continue to do so. For now he is a United player. I don't know if he will leave or if he will not leave. As he said, he will speak soon and they will have time to hear his words and what he has to say.
"I don't think anyone has shown so far that there was no interest in Cristiano not staying. He can continue at a high level and give us a lot of goals but it's his decision. We have to respect what he wants to do, whatever he wants to do.
"If he's going to stay, we'll be happy about it; if he's going to leave because he thinks it's best for him, I'll be personally happy for him. The most important thing is that he's okay, playing at the highest level and making our country proud."
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Despite dropping him for Monday's thriller in which United produced arguably their best performance of the past two seasons, Ten Hag insisted that Ronaldo, subbed on with just four minutes of normal time remaining, does indeed have a role to play this term.
"I think he can [adapt], and in his whole career and under several managers, he did," the Red Devils boss explained post-match. "In several styles and systems, he always performed. Why can't he do this [again]? His age is not an issue. If you are young, you are good enough, and when you are old, you still deliver the performance, you are also good enough."
Ronaldo will next be in line to feature for United when they make the trip to Southampton on Saturday, with kick-off at 12:30.
