Sporting Lisbon manager Silas admits he does not know whether or not Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes has played his last match for the club.
The 25-year-old featured for the Portuguese club on Monday night as they won 1-0 at home to Maritimo in the Primeira Liga fixture thanks to a goal from Cristian Borja.
United are still interested in signing the midfielder before Friday's transfer deadline, but their valuation of the player differs with that of the Portuguese club.
It remains to be seen if United will be able to negotiate an agreement for Fernandes before the end of the January transfer window but Silas declared he would like to keep the midfielder at the club until at least the end of the current season.
"I can't confirm it [if Fernandes made his last appearance against Maritimo], I would like him to stay," Silas told reporters post-match on Monday.
"Right now I don't know if he will stay or not, but I would like to count on him at least until the end of the season.
"Bruno Fernandes is a different player, he sees things that no one sees. Being further back and seeing these movements, the defence begins to decline.
"Any team that had Bruno Fernandes in Portugal would suffer if they lost him. If so we will have to look for solutions."
