Bruno Fernandes, of Manchester United, played during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park. Fernandes and the club have had a challenging start to the season (Picture: Getty). He has hinted that some senior players were puzzled by the decision to sell one of the club’s brightest young talents over the summer.
Despite heavy investment in the transfer window—bringing in players like Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, and Manuel Ugarte—Manchester United’s start to the new season has been underwhelming. Erik ten Hag’s position as manager is again under scrutiny, though he continues to rely on a young core, including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund.
However, it surprised many, including Fernandes, that Ten Hag allowed the highly talented Maxi Oyedele to leave for Legia Warsaw in the summer. Oyedele, 19, had a successful loan spell at Forest Green last season, which many believed would be a stepping stone to bigger things at United.
Fernandes recently reunited with Oyedele when Portugal faced Poland in the Nations League, where Oyedele made his senior international debut. After the match, the two swapped shirts, and Fernandes posted a picture on Instagram with the caption, “Happy to see you doing great things. You deserve all the best, kid.”
In his post-match interview with TVP, Fernandes praised Oyedele, saying, “He was always one of the players everyone at the club thought would break through from the academy to the first team. He has great qualities, is a fantastic kid, and very humble.”
Oyedele, a key player in United’s FA Youth Cup-winning side two years ago, seemed set to be part of Ten Hag’s plans after featuring in pre-season. However, despite his potential, he was surprisingly allowed to leave. Born in Salford to a Polish mother and Nigerian father, Oyedele has since become a key asset for Legia Warsaw.
On Oyedele’s departure and talent, Legia manager Goncalo Feio commented, “His quality on the ball, his ability to maintain possession, and his tactical awareness are standout attributes. Even Bruno was shocked by United’s decision to let him go after his strong pre-season performances. His physical readiness and ability to use his body well are top-tier. While fans love his technical skills, Maxi also adds much-needed physicality to our midfield. Polish football will greatly benefit from his talent.”