This midfielder linked with Manchester United could solve the club’s engine room issues – opinion
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Over the summer Manchester United were linked with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, and the sensational Portuguese central midfielder with an eye for goal could take their engine room to the next level.
There is a good reason why the Red Devils are sitting in mid-table, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been unfortunate with injuries, especially to Paul Pogba who has been missing since early October, their midfield is vastly underpowered relative to what’s at Lampard’s disposal. Even when the French playmaker has been fit, Solskjaer has struggled to find the right balance, and they are desperate for reinforcements in the transfer window.
Fernandes could ease the workload on Manchester United’s strikers as he has eight goals and six assists in 14 Liga NOS and Europa League games this term. Attacking potency from the middle of the park is exactly what United have been missing this season, having scored 18 less than rivals Manchester City in third.
Alongside his attacking exploits, Fernandes has also completed an average of 2.3 tackles per game in the league, the same as Scott McTominay while contributing significantly more than the Scott offensively who has four goals and assist combined. Once he has recovered possession the Sporting Lisbon captain is exceptional at creating goal-scoring opportunities for others as well, he averages 3.5 key passes per game in Liga NOS.
Even after producing such outstanding numbers during the opening part of this campaign, Fernandes is only on course to match the phenomenal metrics he boasted during the last league season. In 33 appearances he registered 20 goals and 13 assists, averaging having a hand in a goal in every game he participated in.
A midfielder who provides a significant influence on proceedings, both in attack and defence, is an element Manchester United’s has been missing. Players such as McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred have been deployed as defensive midfielders, while Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba provide the attacking momentum. Unfortunately for them, Fernandes has just signed a new contract increasing his release clause to £85m. Even with that inflated price United have the funds to secure the player and he is an established talent who could fit straight into their starting eleven.