Contributions that Bruno Fernandes can make to Manchester United

DBasia.news –  Manchester United officially brought in Bruno Fernandes after reaching an agreement with Sporting Lisbon. Fernandes only needs to undergo a medical test before he can compete with Manchester United

“Manchester United is pleased to announce the agreement reached with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes. The subject will carry out medical tests and a personal agreement. Further announcements will be announced soon,” said Man United.

According to Fabrizio Romano, a football transfer expert from Italy, Man United paid 55 million euros plus bonuses divided into two categories: challenging bonuses (15 million euros) and easy bonuses (10 million euros). All related to the performance and contribution to the team in the mission to reach the Champions League zone.

In his career, Bruno Fernandes has strengthened Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, before heading to Sporting. From the technical side, the playing experience in Italy helped him develop it. Fernandes also has 19 caps and two goals with the Portugal national team.

Man United fans are now starting to be able to predict or analyze things that Fernandes can provide in midfield. When Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay were injured, Fernandes could be an ideal replacement for the club, especially after Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera left.

Citing data from Sky Sports as a reference, here are three things Bruno Fernandes can provide:

Creative Goal Scorer and Midfielder

Man United achieved a complete package of abilities from Bruno Fernandes. He is one of the most prolific midfielders in Europe in scoring goals and also has the creativity to play. 64 goals and 46 assists in a total of 137 matches with Sporting should be clear enough to illustrate his quality.

Since the Primeira of the Portuguese League in the 2017-18 season until now, Bruno Fernandes has recorded the most top statistics in terms of number of kicks (271), creating opportunities (239), breakthrough balls (17), and goals from outside the penalty box (nine).

Scoring goals from outside the penalty box is really his specialization. No doubt there are many who compare him to the United legend, Paul Scholes. But according to Portuguese soccer writer. Jose Delgado, Fernandes actually looks more like Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, than Scholes.

“He found space in midfield. His playing style is like the classic number six player. He is more like Frank Lampard than Paul Scholes,” Delgado said at BBC Sport.

“He is a midfielder who scored quite a lot of goals. He is a specialist in scoring from 25 meters,” he continued.

There are not many Man United midfielders who have complete abilities like him other than Paul Pogba.

Variation of Tactics

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can place him in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations. In the 4-3-2-1 scheme, Bruno Fernandes can maximize his potential in the ability to organize attacks and score goals from the second line. Incidentally, United also need players in that position.

Three players have been tried by Solskjaer in that position from Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard, and Juan Mata, with a total of 29 appearances, all three of which only contributed through three goals and five assists. The lost creativity can be covered by Bruno Fernandes.

Enduring and Offensive Contributions

Bruno Fernandes is not entirely a midfielder who only thinks of the offensive side. His contribution when defending is also good as a versatile number 6 midfielder. Felipe Dias, Editor of the Portuguese magazine O Jogo, briefly described Fernandes’ abilities.

“Bruno Fernandes is a player who covers all areas, defensively and offensively. From midfield and beyond, he can do anything. He has long-range kicks. He can do free kicks and penalties,” Felipe Dias said.

“His goal-scoring ability is second to none. In 20 years of journalism, I’ve never seen a midfielder score like that. It’s amazing.”

“Okay, we are talking about Portuguese domestic football and the European League, but when you are the best, you can perform well anywhere. This is a top, top player.”

So, Manchester United fans, are you ready to witness Bruno Fernandes’ actions?