The midfielder(s) Man Utd buy in the summer can make Bruno Fernandes’ job easier or harder, so Ineos would do well to hear his recommendation.
From Elliot Anderson to Carlos Baleba, and Sandro Tonali to Adam Wharton, Man Utd have been linked to a plethora of midfielders.
Regardless of who arrives, they need to be an ideal fit for Bruno Fernandes playing ahead of him, because that one position is not up for debate.
Fernandes has now hinted at the profile of a midfielder who will make his job easier, and that leaves only one ideal candidate.
Bruno Fernandes is up there with United’s greats in the Premier League era
Do you think Bruno can get to 300 combined goals and assists for United?
Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes’ ideal central midfielder
Throughout his career, Fernandes has been at his best when closer to the goal, because that’s when his risky passes lead to chances created.
It’s why Ruben Amorim’s decision to play him in the buildup phase was a case of self-sabotage, as much as Fernandes tried to make it work.
Speaking to Man Utd’s official channel, Fernandes recently raved about Michael Carrick’s underrated skill set as a player.
More United News
In that statement, he provided a glimpse of the ideal kind of defensive midfielder for his style of attacking midfielder.
He said: “You know, breaking lines for the No. 10, how quickly a midfielder can be to control the ball and give it to you. It gives you time and space to think about it [as the No. 10]. You can either control it or flick it. Make your decision.”
Fernandes’ assessment leaves Adam Wharton as best candidate
Wharton has been linked to United the least, but Fernandes’ assessment of his ideal central midfielder leaves him as the best candidate.
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!
Anderson or Wharton graphic
Getty Images
Elliot Anderson is a ground-eater who relishes duels and recoveries. Carlos Baleba is similar, but with fewer skills on the ball.
Sandro Tonali is another engine with the odd shot in him, but not really renowned for being a zippy passer of the ball to break lines.
Fernandes’ assessment perfectly describes Wharton, who has made his name at Crystal Palace as a fierce ball-progressor via short and long passes.
He hasn’t been linked as much because his fit next to Kobbie Mainoo is a bit uneasy, since both relish their role on the ball, rather than enjoy off-the-ball grunt work.
However, if United manage to become a side that is dominant in possession, then they don’t really need a midfielder who relishes grunt work, much like Pep Guardiola’s peak Man City sides, or the current Barcelona team.
Mainoo and Wharton are the ideal pairing behind Fernandes, because one will get the ball to him quickly (Wharton), while the other keeps it in circulation to retain possession.
As long as the team around them helps them with off-the-ball duties, that pairing has all the makings of a world-class midfield.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox