Paul Merson 'flabbergasted' by what Manchester United have just done as Liverpool watch on

Paul Merson has said he was left “absolutely flabbergasted” by Manchester United’s decision to extend Bruno Fernandes’ contract.

Liverpool ’s bitter rivals announced yesterday that the Portuguese midfielder had signed a new deal at Old Trafford. Having arrived in England in 2020, it was revealed earlier this week that the Reds decided against a move for the 27-year-old when he was playing for Sporting Lisbon.

However, Merson has slammed United for giving Fernandes a long-term deal with the club currently in a state of flux. With Ralf Rangnick in temporary charge, the club are yet to appoint their next permanent manager and the Sky Sports pundit has raised the possibility of Fernandes falling out of favour next season.

“Absolutely flabbergasted, if I’m being honest,” Merson told Sky Sports. “I mean you give a four-year contract extension, more money or whatever it may be; the new manager comes in, he might not like Fernandes.

“He might not like all the throwing the hands up and moaning at everybody when he doesn’t get the ball. He might have someone - it might be the lad at Ajax (Erik Ten Hag) who’s got someone else. He might think ‘I’ve got someone who I want to bring in, who wants to play my way.’

“Completely and utterly shocked. I cannot believe what’s happening. Everything’s just been done off the cuff, it’s been done off the cuff for the last couple of years at Man United .”

The Manchester United hierarchy may view the decision to award the Portuguese with a new contract as an attempt to close the gap between themselves and Liverpool, with hopes of attracting a high-profile manager also added to the fire. However, with 22 points separating the two sides in the league table, it is clear that United still