Man Utd could sell their club captain and they might have the perfect player to replace him.
It is not hyperbole to say Manchester United could have been relegated from the Premier League without Bruno Fernandes. The 30-year-old shone even when his team did not, with eight goals and 10 assists in the competition this past season. He led by example when so many weren't up to the challenge.
Ruben Amorim is desperate to keep him at the club next season, but they won't stand in his way if he does ask to leave. It has made for a very interesting situation. Fernandes has already given his best years to United and few would begrudge him the opportunity to explore a new opportunity, though it would certainly be a sad day for the club.
Fernandes has been the ray of light among the storm clouds at Old Trafford, the hope that better days might be on their way. Amorim has already promised them, but that forecast was made with Fernandes the orchestrator. Those plans might be about to change and United might already have their solution.
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Matheus Cunha relishing United spotlight
If there is reason to smile as a Manchester United fan it is that they've already reached an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves later this month. The Brazilian has agreed a five-year deal, with the option of another year, after United agreed to pay his £62.5 million release clause in three instalments.
Cunha was one of the standout stars in the Premier League over the past season and like Fernandes, was the talisman in his side's survival. The 26-year-old netted 15 goals and six assists in the competition, three more goal contributions than Fernandes managed, in three fewer appearances.
It is a more impressive stat when you consider none of those goals were penalties (Fernandes scored three) and that he averaged a goal every 174 minutes, compared with Fernandes, who scored one every 378 minutes. They each scored give times from outside the box, yet Cunha managed to score 10 times from inside it as well, while the United captain managed just three. A word of warning though, the Wolves star only had an expected goals output of 8.45 this past season and exceeded it to a remarkably degree.
Regardless of the truth about his scoring instinct, he certainly has the confidence to replicate the attacking threat of Fernandes, though he will have work to do as a creator. Fernandes grabbed 10 assists and created big chances in the Premier League, while Cunha created 13 big chances but was let down by teammates as he grabbed only six assists. Fernandes completed 706 forward passes, Cunha just 292, while the United captain also led the way with 31 through balls, compared with 14 for the Wolves midfielder.
There is clearly still lots of work to be done, but Cunha has shown he has the raw attributes to be a success in the United side, particularly one where there will be less onus on him to be the matchwinner every single week. Another key attribute is his mentality. The Brazilian is eager to prove himself at the highest level and is believed to relish the opportunity to bring glory back to Old Trafford. He gave his word to a deal last month and was not deterred by their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
He would no doubt prefer to play alongside Fernandes next season, though he might be an even better player if he is given the honour of trying to replace him instead.
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