Bruno Fernandes has become the man Manchester United cannot live without.
Since his move from Sporting Lisbon last January, the Portuguese playmaker has been indispensable for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
There is little doubt Fernandes is the first name on the teamsheet, and that is reflected in the time he has spent on the pitch.
Fernandes has already made 52 appearances for United this season in all competitions and been on the pitch for 95% of their Premier League minutes.
But with his performances dropping slightly in the second half of the season, there are concerns over burnout and an over-reliance on Fernandes.
Those concerns likely came into the thought process when United splashed £40million to land Donny van de Beek in the summer transfer window.
Yet unlike Fernandes, the Dutch midfielder has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.
With Van de Beek most at home in the attacking midfield role which Fernandes has made his own, the ex-Ajax star has struggled for game time and made just two Premier League starts.
It has led to his future at Old Trafford coming under the microscope - and comments made by Fernandes this week will make for worrying reading for Van de Beek.
Speaking ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg with Roma, Fernandes claimed he wants to continue to play over 50 games a season as he suggested he has little interest in having his game time managed.
Instead, he sees himself playing week in, week out as he has done this season - something which would indicate opportunities for Van de Beek could continue to be hard to come by.
"I hope to play more than 50 [games] next season again,” Fernandes declared. “When you play for a club like this your standards have to be high.”
Despite Fernandes’ comments indicating Van de Beek’s situation may not be about to improve any time soon, he has been urged to stay and fight for a starting spot in the United side.
"I think Donny should just fight, stay next year and try to claim a starting place," Ajax chief Marc Overmars told NOS. "You shouldn’t leave so quickly.”
However, former United goalkeeper Edwin van Der Sar admits Van de Beek’s situation has left him “sad” this season.
"Of course I feel sad for Donny," van der Sar told ESPN’s Good Morning Eredivisie. "He walked the perfect path before joining United.
"But the midfield of Manchester United is too stacked, they’ve not had any injuries. It’s hard for him."
