Manchester United entered the January transfer window with so many problems. Fans wanted signings, and Ruben Amorim did too.
Perhaps that's a contributing factor in the Portuguese tactician's demise at Old Trafford, seemingly throwing in the towel when he criticised the ownership.
Amorim had been poor from the get-go, though, and his sacking was met with a measure of relief from the Red Devils fanbase. Appointing Michael Carrick on an interim basis was a risk, to be sure, but he understands the club and has repaid the faith with three spectacular wins in the Premier League to get going.
While a centre-midfielder remains INEOS's priority ahead of the summer window, with Casemiro set to leave, Bruno Fernandes' future is bound to resurface as a contentious topic.
Why Man Utd may need to replace Bruno
Fernandes came close to leaving the Theatre of Dreams last summer. In fact, the Portugal international has since revealed that he felt as if he had been forced out by the hierarchy, still rejecting a bumper move to the Saudi Pro League.
Bruno-Fernandes-Man-Utd-record
Fernandes is the definitive superstar of the modern hero, certainly Man United's leader and source of inspiration throughout the tumultuous past years.
However, things are changing, and the 31-year-old Fernandes may well leave this summer, with his contract set to expire in 2027. Should he leave, Jason Wilcox and co will need to find a new talisman, and it appears a Premier League star has been earmarked.
Well, as per Spanish sources, Manchester United have raised Morgan Rogers to top-target status ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Aston Villa attacker emerging as one of the Premier League's brightest talents in recent years.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
Valued at €100m (equating to about £87m) by Villa, Rogers may be enticed by the move, but having recently penned a new deal at Villa Park until 2031, Unai Emery holds all the bargaining chips.
Rogers, 23, would ostensibly replace Fernandes, and while they have different stylistic takes on the No. 10 role, Rogers could prove an invaluable signing for this resurgent United team.
Why Morgan Rogers could be the perfect Bruno replacement
Rogers has only gone from strength to strength since leaving Middlesbrough and signing for Aston Villa in a £10m deal in 2023.
Morgan-Rogers-Aston-Villa
A graduate of Manchester City's youth system, this would be a significant coup for Man United, landing an "unstoppable" player who is only going to get better over the next several years.
Last season's PFA Young Player of the Year in the English top flight, Rogers might just be the perfect signing, someone who would replace Fernandes by bringing his own unique flavour, not mimicking the Portuguese but fashioning something new.
Rogers vs Fernandes - Premier League 25/26
Match Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Shots (on target)*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels won*
Data via Sofascore
A key pass is a pass that directly leads to a shot at the opponent's goal.
Though Fernandes has the more polished creative skillset, Rogers' dribbling and explosiveness in the final third are attributes not so easily defined by data.
Moreover, Rogers has only missed two big chances this season, emphasising his killer instinct in the final third. That's something Carrick will need if Fernandes leaves for a new challenge.
While Rogers would be a big-money purchase, he has demonstrated such quality in recent years and would be worth every penny.
All the more reason for the Red Devils to fight tooth and nail for Champions League qualification.
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