Bruno Fernandes excelled in Portugal over the last two seasons, but just how good is he, and how can he improve Manchester United?
It took a while but it finally happened. Manchester United completed the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes for an initial £46million and the 25-year-old went straight into the United team which drew with Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday evening in the Premier League.
There is palpable excitement among United supporters crying out for some on-pitch inspiration amid the club's continued off-field unrest. Here is how the Portugal international might be able to help matters at Old Trafford.
1. Creativity from midfield
It was well documented going into the January transfer window that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needed to strengthen several key areas, particularly central midfield. Since Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have been side-lined for most of the season so far, United’s other midfield options, Brazilian duo Andreas Pereira and Fred, have started together most of the time.
The pair have contributed with just three goals and an assist in the Premier League this season, all of these coming from Pereira. Fernandes has been bought to bring an attacking spark to the Red Devils' midfield. Last season at Sporting, Fernandes scored 25 goals and provided 13 assists in 38 games in the Liga Nos and in the Europa League. He was also named in the UEFA Nations League team of the tournament that year.
The 38 goals that Fernandes was involved in 2018/19 is more goals than United have scored in the Premier League so far (36). United will need him to hit the ground running if they are to mount a Champions League push.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.2. Leadership qualities
Fernandes, who scored 15 goals in 119 games as in Serie A with Udinese and Sampdoria, captained Sporting for the last number of years. He led the side flawlessly, staying at the club despite being attacked at the training ground by several fans in 2018 alongside other first-team members.
He led the side to the Portuguese Cup in the second of his consecutive player of the year seasons.
Ever since the departure of Paul Scholes, United have lacked a creative midfielder who can lead the team. Signings like Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and most notably, Paul Pogba, have all failed to galvanise the team.
When asked about his new signing, Solskjaer said: "He's a great leader of his team.” The Norwegian will hope the midfielder can carry this inspiration into his new team in Manchester.
Former Irish international Gary Breen shared his take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United reign with speaking to Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the weekend:
3. Change playing style
With United’s lack of a ball-playing midfielder in Pogba’s absence, it limited Solskjaer’s options in setting the team-up.
It meant he had to play a counter-attacking system at Old Trafford, which made United very easy to predict. United’s average possession for the season is 54%, which is considerably lower than Manchester City’s 61%.
The signing of Fernandes gives the former Molde coach more options on how to set his side up, as he now has a midfield player who can keep the ball effectively.
4. Mauricio Pochettino
Back in the summer, Mauricio Pocchetino was keen to bring Fernandes to north London to play for Tottenham. However, the board failed to back the Argentine, and he was soon sacked by Daniel Levy, the Spurs’ Chairman.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.Were the United board to pull the trigger and sack the Norwegian, the chance to work with Fernandes, a player he so desperately wanted at Spurs, maybe a factor to lure Pochettino to Old Trafford.
5. Paul Pogba replacement
During the January transfer window, Sky Sports reported that United’s French star Paul Pogba would leave the club in the summer. Both Juventus and Real Madrid were interested in his services.
With his agent Mino Raiola publicly slamming the club, all signs point to the exit door for Pogba. Perhaps United are setting themselves up for his departure with their newest star, instead of desperately scrambling for a player in the summer, as they would end up overpaying for a lesser player.
Maybe if Fernandes pulls United into the Champions League places, the club could sell Pogba knowing that they have the better player.
Written by Cillian Horan.
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