The signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in Portugal was the boost Manchester United desperately needed to their midfield. With injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, an attacking threat has been added to United’s midfield.
Does Bruno Fernandes Signing Signal the End for Pogba?
The sensible money seems to be on the charismatic Paul Pogba leaving Manchester United in the Summer. Certainly, the spat between the club and Pogba’s agent does not help to quash this prospect. The French internationals ankle injury sustained in September has ruled him out of action since. United manager Ole Gunner Solskjær recently told a press conference Pogba is nowhere near returning yet.
Under Solskjær the Brazilian Fred has re-emerged and is currently playing alongside Nemanja Matic in the centre of the park. In the 2-0 win against Chelsea, Bruno Fernandes completed the midfield line-up and gave a polished performance. He showed glimpses of what he can bring to the team by setting up Harry Maguire’s goal and striking the post from a free-kick. It was a good performance and a good start to his United career, but United fans have seen good starts before which soon turned southwards. Fernandes emphasised how positive a player he is in a brief cameo against Club Brugge in the Europa League.
Fernandes is an established player in European football, a Portuguese international who at 25 years of age should be approaching his peak. Some will have doubts about why he has only just come to such a big club, why he was not picked up at an earlier age. However, he is here now and he has all the attributes to replace Pogba in a Solskjær side.
What does Bruno Fernandes Bring to United?
Solskjær will be expecting goals, assists, and graft from his new signing. Fernandes left the Boavista academy in Portugal for Italy at 17-years-old. The Portuguese midfielder enjoyed spells at Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria. Fernandes then headed back to Portugal in 2017, signing for Sporting CP. In 83 appearances he notched 39 goals, a more than useful tally for an attacking midfielder.
Fernandes is a top passer of the ball, capable of using both feet, something which feels rare in today’s game. Sporting are the most decorated team in Portuguese football and expectations are high. It was not always good times at Sporting. Bruno Fernandes was one of the players attacked at the club’s training base after they failed to qualify for the Champions League. He initially rescinded his contract before reversing that decision.
Bruno Fernandes is a worker on the pitch, an organiser and captain material. He may not have the flare of a Pogba, but his discipline will be something for which Solskjær has signed him for. Paul Pogba is a hugely talented player, who given more freedom in his game could still be a big success for United.
You feel managers like Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Solskjær need confidence in their players’ discipline. Yes, they must be talented, but yes they must follow the manager’s instructions to the letter. This has been an issue for Pogba in both of his stays with United. That said, it is also hard to overlook he was the club’s leading scorer in the previous season with 13 goals, as well as 9 assists.
Can Fernandes and Pogba Play Together?
They can and this would be an exciting prospect for many United fans. It would need a highly disciplined defensive midfielder of the likes of N’Golo Kante at his best, but it could work. With Pogba playing more of the number 10 role, Fernandes could bridge the gap between defence and the attackers. He has the range of pass and that extra attacking thrust when needed to hurt the opposition. Plus he is not adverse at working hard to help out his defence when called upon. This would clearly limit the future roles of Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Andreas Pereira even further, even without the signing of key target Jadon Sancho.
Either Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial could flourish from the supply line of a Pogba and Fernandes pronged midfield. It would bring another dimension to United’s play as they struggle to open up teams who sit deep. Only Pogba truly knows his intentions for next season, but I have a sneaky feeling he still wants to prove the doubters wrong. The addition of Fernandes to the squad may further twist his arm to stay.
Main Photo:
