Bruno Fernandes was celebrated earlier this summer when he rejected a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia in favour of a Manchester United stay. However, as time passes, Ruben Amorim could live to regret fighting to keep his captain if United's midfield problems persist into the new season.
The Red Devils' desire for Fernandes to stay was understandable, considering he had just conjured up 38 direct goal involvements in 57 games during a disastrous 2024/25 season. His status as the club's most influential player since his January 2020 arrival would have seen a departure painted as a disaster at such a time of need.
But United's back-to-back lowly Premier League finishes and lack of European football this season have limited Amorim's budget.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have arrived from Brentford and Wolves, respectively, for a combined £133.5million.
Though United are covering Mbeumo's initial £65m fee in four instalments and Cunha's £62.5m price tag in three.
Amorim is believed to want a new striker, goalkeeper and midfielder before the summer deadline, but he is strongly dependant on player sales.
If Al Hilal were successful in their pursuit of Fernandes, that issue would have vanished. The Saudi Pro League club were ready to pay up to £100m for the Portuguese playmaker.
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At the age of 30, United likely will not have the opportunity to generate such a fee for Fernandes again.
And in hindsight, Amorim may have been better off taking a risk by sanctioning a Saudi switch if it meant he could balance his team.
With Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad, and a new striker all primed to play prominent roles this season, Fernandes should see most of his minutes in the midfield pairing.
But while United have shown glimpses of attacking class during pre-season, Amorim's unbalanced engine room remains a serious problem.
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Fernandes needs an athletic defensive midfielder alongside him, but Casemiro is in the twilight years of his career, the jury is still firmly out on Manuel Ugarte, and Kobbie Mainoo is also attack-minded.
United could have cashed in on Fernandes and built around Mainoo next to a player capable of shouldering the 20-year-old's defensive responsibilities.
Only time will tell whether Amorim can realise his vision with the Red Devils No. 8 in a deeper role, but his dream of a defensive midfield signing is no surprise.
Perhaps the planned sales of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho could fund one instead. But they are proving much easier said than done.