Merse: I'm flabbergasted Fernandes got new deal, Man Utd are a shambles

Bruno Fernandes should not have been given a new Manchester United contract without a new manager being in place, according to Paul Merson.

Ahead of United's Premier League clash against Leicester City, live on Sky Sports, the Portuguese midfielder was handed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year.

The improved terms come with the club still employing Ralf Rangnick as an interim manager while Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag has been interviewed for a permanent role from the summer.

With confusion over who is helping to recruit new players at United as well, Merson has strongly criticised the decision to make big investments on players, without knowing whether the likes of Ten Hag or PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino - who has also been linked with the role - will like them.

"I'm flabbergasted," Merson told Soccer Saturday. "You give him a four-year contract extension with more money, but a manager could come in and he might not like him. He may not like the throwing the hands up in the air and moaning when not getting the ball. It might be Ten Hag who might want someone else.

"I'm shocked, I cannot believe what's happening. Everything is being done off the cuff at Man United. Unless they've got a manager sorted - and I doubt it - and they said 'do you want Fernandes? We'll sign him up'.

"You have to like that kind of player. He's a bit of a luxury player as he's going to make things happen. But Ten Hag could come in and play a certain way of football. I'm shocked, it's a bit of a shambles.

"I'm not saying he's not a good player, he's a good player. But everyone's different. Jack Grealish is a great player, but would Jurgen Klopp have paid £100m for him? It's horses for courses and a manager