GROUNDHOG DAY! Man Utd are sleepwalking into Fernandes transfer issue - and the blame will be pointed straight at club's owners

The nickname of 'Bruno' for Manchester United's captain lacks imagination.

Along with a reflection of what Bruno Fernandes has contributed to the club since joining them. Perhaps the 'Coal Man' might be more fitting. Due to the huge weight he has carried on his back in recent times.

Forget him being 'Player of the Year' more times than some people can remember. Fernandes has been United's player of the last decade - and he hasn't even been at Old Trafford that long!

United's transfer business in this period has been shambolic. But Fernandes has bucked the status quo - and then some. The Portuguese has been one of the few shining lights in a period of almost terminal decline at one of the world's supposed biggest clubs.

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Before signing Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, United's recruitment team held a meeting in a room at the club's Carrington training complex. One senior member showed a video of Fernandes kicking a dressing room door in, after being shown a red card.

That person questioned whether the midfielder had the temperament to deal with the pressure and expectation that comes with being a United footballer. Until the then chief executive Ed Woodward stepped into the debate, insisting he loved the passion and desire Fernandes had shown.

A few weeks later a United delegation flew to Lisbon to seal a £47m deal. Which has gone on to resemble chicken feed, considering the fees some footballers are now commanding in today's inflated market.

In recent weeks United have found themselves fending off interest in Fernandes from numerous clubs at home and abroad. It was the same last summer, when three from Saudi's Pro League came calling.

'Groundhog Day' has become part of Fernandes's life at United.

It's understood Fernandes informed club bosses a few weeks ago he had no intention of leaving. A new and improved deal will be winging its way to Fernandes and his representatives.

But since committing himself to United, verbally at least, the intervening weeks have seen co-owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe do little to make their star attraction feel like he's made the right decision.

While the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and even Tottenham have spent big on strengthening their squad, United have failed to provide Fernandes with help when it comes to sharing the burden of getting winning results this season.

Which begs the question, how long will it be before Fernandes gets tired of being the talisman of a side which has no realistic chance of winning the title?

Getting into the Champions League is now deemed a successful season. That's how far the standards have dropped at United.

The harsh truth is that someone like Fernandes deserves better. And it's only a matter of time before he realises this.

And if and when this happens, the finger of blame will be pointing straight at the Glazers and Ratcliffe.