Sporting manager Silas has given a press conference today ahead of the Lions’ Lisbon derby against Benfica, which will be played on Friday.

There’s been big expectation regarding his words about Bruno Fernandes, since the midfielder could miss this game due to the negotiations for his Manchester United transfer.

But Silas made sure to calm down all Sporting fans, saying their biggest star should be available for the match, regardless of how many clubs have been trying to sign him.

“The only certainty I have is that Bruno will be there [at the derby]. We prepared the game with Bruno and he trained very well, as always,” said Silas (via Notícias Ao Minuto).

“He’s the best player in the league and the most valuable since last year. He’s not worth this money, he’s worth so much more. In addition to attacking he also sacrifices himself to defend. Bruno is the best and the most valuable. When we have such a player it’s normal for everyone to want him. Only if there’s a disaster he won’t be there.”

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Bruno Fernandes has trained on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so it’s pretty clear that Sporting had been counting on his presence in the derby.

The Portuguese media continues to be pretty confident about his transfer to Manchester United. Earlier today, it’s been claimed that after sorting Gedson Fernandes’ transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, agent Jorge Mendes has finally got the offer from the Red Devils for the Sporting star.

So things are expected to have bigger updates at the weekend.

On losing his star player and how the team will move forward, Silas said: “We have good players, but to find a replacement for Bruno we need three players. One that scores, one that organises and one who defends like him. There are none in Portugal. At the moment we have none like Bruno, but we have to look for alternatives, dynamics and systems. But I don’t know if we’ll lose him.”