If Manchester United are to say silverware for the third season in succession, then as soon as once more the Purple Devils will largely have Bruno Fernandes to thank for that success, with the membership’s talismanic skipper merely dragging his aspect to the Europa League remaining.
The 30-year-old has scored seven occasions within the competitors this time period – six of which have come within the knockout phases – alongside chalking up 5 assists, with the Portuguese’s ice-cold penalty notably kickstarting the beautiful late comeback at house to Lyon.
In fact, because the captain of a aspect at present residing in sixteenth within the Premier League desk, the playmaker just isn’t exempt from blame. No participant within the present squad is above criticism.
And but, the murmurings surrounding a possible supply from Saudi Arabia for the previous Sporting CP star have solely served to strengthen simply how important Fernandes is to this struggling aspect. As Ruben Amorim put it, he’s “one of many high gamers on the earth”.
Maybe the modern-day equal of the nice Bryan Robson, a shining figurehead in a removed from superb period for United, Fernandes deserves to be a part of a aspect actually difficult for Premier League and Champions League glory.
Bruno Fernandes’ 24/25 season in numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Competitors | Video games | Objectives | Assists |
Premier League | 34 | 8 | 10 |
Europa League | 13 | 7 | 5 |
FA Cup | 3 | 2 | 1 |
EFL Cup | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Group Defend | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Whole | 54 | 19 | 19 |
Stats through Transfermarkt | |||
First, nevertheless, main surgical procedure is required to strengthen the aspect round him…
Newest on Man Utd’s switch search
After the dismal Erik ten Hag-leg switch coverage, which revolved round Eredivisie-based or Dutch imports, it could seem that the INEOS regime are in search of a change in tact this time round, amid studies that the membership are able to raid the Premier League for high-profile abilities.
Certainly, the 2 main candidates to reach at Previous Trafford this summer time look like Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, with the thrilling pair – who’ve scored 27 league objectives between them – trying set to depart Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich City, respectively.
Other than that duo, nevertheless, Soccer Insider are additionally reporting that Amorim and co are actually in ‘pole place’ to signal Bournemouth sensation, Antoine Semenyo, amid the Ghanaian’s standout season on the south coast.
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As per the report, the possibilities of United touchdown the 25-year-old are ‘prone to be boosted’ in the event that they safe Europa League glory subsequent week, with the membership doubtlessly needing to fend off Arsenal and Newcastle United within the battle for his providers.
This comes amid latest hypothesis which recommended that INEOS had been prepared to fork out £38m to signal the previous Bristol Metropolis man, albeit with it but to be seen whether or not the Cherries would settle for something lower than their £60m asking value.
If United can win the race for the ahead’s signature, he might signify the right addition to assist revive Amorim’s limp ahead line.
Why Semenyo might thrive at Man Utd
Because the defeat to West Ham United showcased, it is a Manchester United aspect devoid of vitality and athleticism. As Amorim himself admitted, there was an actual “lack of urgency” from his expenses.
A selected drawback, one thing which the 40-year-old has additionally frequently pointed to, is the membership’s struggles with ‘physicality’, an element that has maybe defined the distinction between their success domestically and on the continent.
Bringing Semenyo into the fold might then go a way towards altering that dynamic, with the 25-year-old a merely explosive and electrical presence in assault, having been described as “virtually unplayable” at occasions by journalist Ed Aarons.
As former Bristol boss Nigel Pearson said previously, the 6 foot 1 ace is “very tough to play towards” on account of his “tempo and energy”, having scored 9 league objectives this season whereas working as a striker or on the flanks.
A participant who can stretch a distinction with a searing run in behind, Semenyo might then strike up a devastating partnership with that man Fernandes, with United’s “artistic machine” – as hailed by Kevin De Bruyne – merely a grasp at selecting out his teammates with a lofted or threaded move to unlock a defence.
That was notably evident with regard to the Portuguese’s relationship with Marcus Rashford previously, having collectively contributed to 26 objectives alongside the Englishman, whereas notably offering six assists for his exiled teammate within the Premier League throughout the 2022/23 marketing campaign.
Curiously, Rashford is definitely famous as an analogous participant to Semenyo amongst these of their place throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues, as per FBref, thus additional outlining that he has the attributes to doubtlessly thrive in partnership with Fernandes subsequent season.
Whereas the captain’s long-term position within the aspect is but to be determined, he’s a artistic weapon wherever he’s deployed, be it as a quantity six or a quantity ten, having once more topped the division this time period for probabilities created (88).
All he wants now could be teammates to correctly thrive on these alternatives. May Semenyo match the invoice?
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He has loved an excellent season for his present workforce.
