Man United backed to play Bruno Fernandes alongside ‘more star signings I expect to arrive’
Man United must make several more additions to their team in the transfer window to support a “frustrated” Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed Ruben Amorim was likely a factor behind the Red Devils captain’s decision to reject a move to Al Hilal.
Despite working under two managers, and United losing 21 games in all competitions, Fernandes still managed to register 19 goals and 18 assists for his club.
Since joining from Sporting CP in 2019, the 30-year-old has registered at least 20 goal contributions per season.
But with just one FA Cup and one Carabao Cup to show for his time in England, it would have been easy to forgive Fernandes to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
However, the midfielder instead chose to snub the Saudi side, something that Robinson told Football Insider was a “good move for United”.
Man United must build around ‘frustrated’ Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes remains committed to the Red Devils, despite their continued struggles on the pitch.
Speaking on the latest Insider Track, Robinson revealed that whilst the midfielder can cut a frustrated figure at times, you cannot deny his impact, and United need to make more additions to their squad this summer to support the talented Portugal international.
“As we always say, I think keeping Bruno Fernandes was a good move for Manchester United,” the ex-England goalkeeper told Football Insider.
“I mean, as poor as they’ve been, he’s been their best player by a long way.
“I think with better players alongside him, he gets frustrated at times, love him or loathe him for his actions and the way he carries on, on the pitch.
“You can’t deny what he’s done in a team that’s finished, what 16th, 15th, 16th in the Premier League, to still get the numbers and get the goals and have the impact that he does.
“Imagine where Manchester United would have been without him, and he was integral in the European campaign.
“So, fair play to him for not wanting to go and being committed to the cause, whether or not that’s a blow to United spending, we’re yet to see, but clearly he likes Ruben Amorim.
“There’s clearly a relationship there, and if United are to put their self, where they believe that they belong, players like [Matheus] Cunha, [Bryan] Mbeumo, Fernandes in that area of the pitch will only help them, but they’ve got a lot of other problems as well.
“They’re gonna need a few more star signings, and I expect them to get them done.”
Man United back themselves into a corner under Ruben Amorim
Should the Red Devils sell Barcelona target Marcus Rashford and let Alejandro Garnacho leave United this summer, they would be giving themselves no option but to stick with Amorim, no matter how results look next season.
Whilst Erik Ten Hag’s side were dismal and a change needed to be made, the squad was in a position to be moulded quickly to the desires of a new manager.
But with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, and the decision to sell off nearly all of the players in the squad capable of playing as a classical winger, that will no longer be the case.
Should United struggle again under the Portuguese manager, any incoming coaches would be forced to stick with his set-up until United can sign new wingers.
It is a stunning show of faith in a boss who has won just 16 of his 42 games in charge of the club, and one that the Red Devils may come to regret.