Fernandes is certain to start this weekend and is at his best as an advanced midfielder. Cunha could be on the bench.placeholder image
Fernandes is certain to start this weekend and is at his best as an advanced midfielder. Cunha could be on the bench. | Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes started in a deeper midfield role against Arsenal in the season opener for Man United.
Man United’s opening game of the season answered a lot of questions, with one of the big talking points being the new role that captain Bruno Fernandes is playing. The Portuguese star dropped deeper into midfield to accommodate new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Fernandes had a decent game against Arsenal during Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat, but one of the biggest questions on top of that is who will play next to him moving forward. United have the likes of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte who can all play as a holding midfielder.
The Red Devils were going after Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba too, but they got priced out of a deal for him, with the Seagulls wanting well over £100m for the Cameroon international.
Casemiro is Ruben Amorim’s first-choice
When the line-ups came out on Sunday afternoon, Ruben Amorim decided to play Casemiro next to Fernandes, which came as a slight surprise considering the Brazilian struggled for form last year. Many would have expected someone like Kobbie Mainoo to take the role, due to his flashings of brilliance in a United shirt.
However, according to The Athletic, Casemiro is Amorim’s choice to play alongside Fernandes for the future. The report noted: “Casemiro is the first-choice partner for Bruno Fernandes, and by no means disgraced himself in Sunday’s opener against Arsenal. Amorim praised Casemiro, a five-time Champions League winner, for how he has adapted to the system after previously being sidelined.”
As the plan to sign Baleba has gone wrong, it now seems that United have settled for their current squad in midfield, and after a decent outing against Arsenal, that may not be a horrific decision, especially because they have already spent over £200m on players this summer.
Are there any midfielders United could sign instead of Baleba?
Following the breakdown of Baleba’s potential move to Old Trafford, Man United will have to look elsewhere if they do decide to sign a new holding midfielder this summer, and reports are already suggesting they’ve done so.
Wharton has been linked to several big clubs, including Real Madrid, but, it could be difficult for United to sign him this summer considering that Palace are potentially in line to lose Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze before transfer deadline day.
Guehi looks like he could join Liverpool, and Eze is close to a move to Tottenham. If both stars leave, the Eagles would likely refuse to sell Wharton as well, unless they can find a very good replacement for him, which could be tricky as we get later and later into the transfer window.
Continue Reading