Bruno Fernandes: Man United have clear decision in front of them | OneFootball

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has once again been one of the team’s key performers this season as the side pushes for Champions League places.

Almost not the case

The Red Devils were incredibly close to losing their talisman last summer.

There was massive interest in the Portuguese attacking midfielder, and numerous Saudi Arabian teams were prepared to pay him huge amounts of money to move to the Middle East. Fernandes admitted in a recent interview that he was hurt that the club considered selling him, but he eventually chose to remain at United for at least this season.

Now it seems the Red Devils are keener to keep him, as they reportedly want to open contract talks with the captain before the World Cup begins in June.

This would certainly be the right decision for the club, and it could be one of their key summer signings.

Back to his best

Perhaps Bruno, like the whole team, was far from their best last season, but he did finish the season strongly with a fine string of spring performances.

He has been incredibly consistent from the get-go this season, though. As Statman Dave points out, he currently has no rival in Europe as an attacking midfielder.

Bruno Fernandes has created more chances (56) than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues this season.

What’s more, he is in the form of his life as he “is creating 3.4 chances p90 in the Premier League this season. That’s the best rate of his career.”

In addition, the BBC reports that, “Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has created the most chances in the Premier League this season (62), while he also has the most assists (9). He ranks first for chances created both in open play (40) and from set plays (22) and his current ratio of 3.4 chances created per 90 minutes is the best by a Man Utd player since Ryan Giggs in 2008-09 (3.7).”

It begs the question: why on earth would United, or in fact any club, entertain offers to let him leave?

Fans point to the money the club would receive for his departure, but can anyone honestly say the club could attract or even find a player who could have the same effect and influence on United’s attack?

Position change

Perhaps selling Fernandes would have made a bit more sense if Ruben Amorim had continued to use him as a deep midfielder.

The former Sporting CP player gave it his all and still excelled statistically, but it was clear to most he also had deficiencies in this role. Now that interim manager Michael Carrick has moved him back to the number 10 role, he can focus on what he excels at: causing havoc in the final third.

It is likely the new manager in the summer will also play four at the back and a midfield three, so replacing Fernandes the number 10 is a lot more tricky than replacing Fernandes the deep-lying midfielder.

Better attackers around him

Fernandes has always prospered for United, but even more so when he has quality options around him.

With Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Amad, United have a very potent attack whom Fernandes will love pinging balls to across the pitch.

The blistering counter-attack against Manchester City last week, led by Fernandes, which resulted in Mbeumo’s opening strike, highlights the damage this attack can do. There is nobody better placed in European football than Fernandes to be its conductor.

Watch him fly with better midfield support

The return of Kobbie Mainoo to the starting line-up will take some off-the-ball playing and resistance of pressing off Fernandes’ shoulders.

Nonetheless, United will hunt a top-of-the-line defensive midfielder in the summer, such as Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton, to protect the backline.

A midfield three of one of these stars, Mainoo and Fernandes would certainly get the blood racing for most fans.

Age only a number

Finally, people may point out that Fernandes will be 32 years old next September, but age is only a number with Fernandes.

Some players slow down in their thirties, but Fernandes looks the same player he did when he arrived. He still plays pretty much every game and can handle playing two times a week with aplomb.

What’s more, his ability to return from a hamstring injury in only two weeks highlights his incredible physical capacity.

Final thoughts

Therefore, whilst the money being offered in the summer for a thirty-year-old will be high, United must stand firm and realise they already have their perfect number ten.

Bruno Fernandes Man United stats

Source: transfermarkt.com Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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