Sheringham says Man Utd would 'break the bank' to sign 'world-class' Chelsea star if Fernandes leaves

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham believes the Red Devils would only break the bank for Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer if Bruno Fernandes is sold.

Palmer has been frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford this year, and it has been reported that he would be open to joining the club in the next transfer window.

The prospect of United signing the Englishman has been talked about, and Sheringham feels United would only go and break the bank for him if Fernandes is sold.

He added that Palmer’s recent injury record is not ideal and the Manchester City graduate needs to sort out his niggling concerns as he will have to play regularly if he joins United.

In an interview with BestBettingSites, Sheringham said: “I think United would only go and break the bank for a player like Cole Palmer if they sold Bruno Fernandes. You could play with both of them if you had a really good central midfielder behind them and slightly changed your system.

“But the more top-quality players you can get into your squad, the better for a team like Manchester United. We had a lot of good players in my time that the manager rotated and kept happy — happy enough to make the team a force.

“You have to look at the injuries Cole Palmer has had this season, which isn’t ideal. When you’re looking at top players for Manchester United, you want them to be ever-present, week in, week out. It’s becoming a bit of a problem. I think he’s had a toe problem and a groin problem, little niggles at a very early age.

“You can’t get used to that as a professional. You need to get out of that mode and be playing 45 games a season, hopefully 60, because that’s the level Manchester United should be looking at: when you’re hitting those numbers as a player, you’re running deep in all the competitions.

“For United to challenge for the biggest prizes, they need consistent leaders on the pitch.”

United unlikely to pay record fee for Palmer

Fernandes started the season as a number eight in manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system. His creativity was rather limited from a central midfield role for the Red Devils.

However, United have got the best out of him since Amorim’s exit. The Portuguese has played his best football under interim boss Michael Carrick, occupying the number 10 role.

The 31-year-old has dazzled in United’s regular 4-2-3-1 formation. He has already notched up 16 Premier League assists, and he is just four shy of the competition record with seven games left.

In our view, United have no reason to contemplate the departure of their captain, who has been the best playmaker in the English top-flight and deserves the PFA Player of the Year award.

In Mason Mount, the club have a quality backup in their ranks, and it does not make sense to revert Fernandes to a central role to recruit Palmer, who has had plenty of fitness issues.

Instead of an attacking midfielder, the priority should be on reinforcing the holding midfield department. A marquee number six must be signed with Casemiro set to leave on a free transfer.

A secondary defensive midfielder could be signed alongside, with the possibility of Manuel Ugarte heading out. For the reported valuation of Palmer (£150 million), United’s hierarchy should bring in two midfielders to bolster the number six position ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Palmer, described as ‘world-class‘ by Blues manager Liam Rosenior, is most likely to stay put with the west London giants with a staggering seven years left on his current contract.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .