The ongoing rumours linking Bruno Fernandes with a move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) are an unwanted distraction for Manchester United.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has identified Fernandes as their next blockbuster transfer target. They were ready to offer £80 million to bring him to the Middle East. However, United were not interested in selling their captain and he insisted he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.
Despite this, some reporters claim United have already agreed a £100m deal with an SPL club for next summer. If the move goes through, it would send Saudi Arabian football fans into a frenzy. Fernandes’ presence in the SPL would also impact sports betting in the Middle East.
Whichever club he joined would be the favourites on betting sites in Saudi Arabia to win the SPL. He would be a popular pick with Arab bettors in goalscoring and assists markets. The move would also help the SPL to attract bigger sponsors and make the league more appealing to broadcasters.
United are still betting on him to bring back the glory days, and have refused to entertain any interest in their captain. Although many fans believe that is the right decision, some argue that the club could be missing a trick by not cashing in while his stock is still high.
Fernandes is a Rare Bright Spark for United
Fernandes’ recent goal in the 2-1 win against Chelsea was his 100th in United’s colours. He has been a bright spark for United despite their fall from grace.
He has failed to produce his best form this season, but manager Ruben Amorim’s decision to play him out of position has not helped matters. Fernandes is most effective when given the freedom to express himself and the system does not play to his strengths.
The League Cup humiliation against League Two side Grimsby Town summed up how far the club has fallen under Amorim. They spent a fortune on new players last summer, but Amorim cannot get the team functioning as a cohesive unit. The defence is fragile, the midfield porous and they are toothless in attack.
Fernandes is still the heartbeat of the club, but he is being wasted in Amorim’s set-up. With SPL clubs willing to break the bank to sign him next summer, United face a difficult decision about his long-term future.
Amorim’s System Exposes Fernandes
The Portuguese midfielder registered eight goals and 11 assists in 36 Premier League games last season. Without him, United would probably have been relegated. He orchestrated United’s run to the Europa League final with seven goals and four assists, but they lost out to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fernandes led the team for chances created, progressive passes and ball recoveries. He also pressed opponents more often than any other Premier League player last season. Those statistics define a player doing too much because those around him are unable or unwilling to go the extra mile. But his endeavours also affect Amorim’s tactical set-up.
Amorim’s system relies on two disciplined central midfielders who can dominate the middle of the park physically and defensively, while also progressing the ball by carrying or making progressive passes. Fernandes does not tick the first two boxes. His natural instincts as an attacking midfielder pull him into spaces where he can create chances, which leaves gaping holes behind him.
Sell or Keep? United’s Key Summer Question
The only way United should consider selling Fernandes is if they are willing reinvest all of the proceeds and more to build a midfield which is fit for purpose.
They must focus on bringing in a combative midfielder and a deep-lying playmaker. Casemiro is too static, while Manuel Ugarte is a shadow of the ball-winner he once was. They need midfielders who can defend transitions, recycle possession and dictate tempo. Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are the ideal pairing for the Red Devils.
Anderson likes to play further forward, but he has demonstrated that he can hold his own in the base of midfield. He is disciplined enough to anchor the midfield and has the passing quality to break the lines.
Wharton shares a similar profile to Anderson. He excels at progressing the ball, either with line-breaking passes or carrying it forward. His positioning off the ball is also impressive. He senses where the danger is and puts out the fire with well-timed tackles.
United enquired about Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba last summer but were put off by the £100m asking price. Baleba is talented, but he is not consistent enough to be worth Brighton’s demands, so United should steer clear of him.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is an option. He was one of the best midfielders in the Championship last season. He registered the most secondary key passes (66), which suggests he can be influential in the build-up phase.
Hackney also carried the ball up the field more than any other midfielder in the division and could be a cost-effective deep-lying playmaker for United.
