Transfer Centre

How Manchester United could line up with Bruno Fernandes

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 July 2019

Manchester United have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Bruno Fernandes, but how would the Sporting Lisbon midfielder fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side?

Manchester United have already made two first-team signings this summer, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to make several more additions before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Winger Daniel James was the first to arrive - joining on a long-term deal from Swansea City - before United pushed through the transfer of Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka last weekend.

Priority will now be placed on central areas as United look to strengthen in defence and midfield, while also attempting to fend off any interest in Paul Pogba.

Sporting Lisbon playmaker Bruno Fernandes is said to be on United's radar, having contributed 20 goals and 13 assists in Portugal's top flight last season.

However, it is unclear whether United regard the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Pogba, or whether they see the pair providing creativity and goals behind the attack.

Here, Sports Mole assesses how United may line up next season, providing that the pair are both at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has regularly suggested that he wants United to play with fast-paced attacking style, although he may have to sacrifice that idea in order to accommodate Fernandes and Pogba.

There is little doubting that the duo would provide goals on a regular basis, but the drawback to that is more defensive work being placed on Nemanja Matic, a player who was - at best - inconsistent last season.

Scott McTominay is an obvious alternative, though, providing that Solskjaer has no qualms about his relative lack of experience in comparison to his other options in that area.

Fernandes or Pogba could each play in a more reserved role - as they sometimes do for their respective nations - but Solskjaer would have to find the right balance, something which may prove to be easier said than done.

The Norwegian also has to think about his front three. The preference will be to play with two wingers who have limited defensive responsibilities, requiring a central midfielder to sometimes fill a void when without the ball.

However, Solskjaer would not necessarily get the best out of Fernandes or Pogba if they were used in this way, which may perhaps lead to Jesse Lingard getting the nod over the likes of James and Juan Mata on the right flank.