The maverick is a dying breed in the Premier League, yet Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes continues to conjure up moments of genius at Old Trafford, having enjoyed another stellar individual campaign thus far.
Arguably the 'best player in the league' right now on current form, having already notched one goal and six assists in 2026 alone, the 31-year-old has gone to another level again after returning to his rightful number ten berth.
There was his inventive finish to clinch victory over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, while the Portuguese playmaker also provided the assist for Benjamin Sesko's stoppage-time winner at home to Fulham, evading Calvin Bassey with a delightful dummy, before picking out the Slovenian with a perfect, precise pull-back.
In an era of set-pieces and stodgy football, Fernandes bucks the trend, with the United skipper truly a master at work. The Red Devils are lucky to have him on board, but for how much longer?
Man Utd could see bid accepted for Bruno Fernandes replacement
Fernandes spoke openly late last year about how close he came to joining Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer, with both his wife and then-manager Ruben Amorim ultimately playing a key role in convincing him to stay put in Manchester.
Bruno-Fernandes-Man-Utd-quotes
The ex-Sporting CP star suggested he felt the club hierarchy were willing to cash in on him, having also hinted that his future could be a discussion point again following this summer's World Cup, with just over a year left on his current deal.
United are already searching for midfield reinforcements following the confirmation of Casemiro's upcoming departure, although Fernandes' own exit would alter proceedings somewhat, with a direct, playmaking replacement set to be needed.
As reported by TEAMtalk, a possible option could well be Nottingham Forest star, Morgan Gibbs-White, with INEOS said to be keen on signing the Englishman from the City Ground, alongside Elliot Anderson and Murillo.
The report suggests that Gibbs-White - who came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur last summer - will almost certainly leave the Tricky Trees if they are relegated this season, having made the move to Nottingham back in 2022.
As per the report, there are also suggestions that the 26-year-old has an £80m release clause in his current deal which can be triggered by Champions League clubs, ensuring United could strike an agreement if they are to secure a top-five finish as expected.
Why Gibbs-White would be a perfect Fernandes successor
How do you replace the irreplaceable? That is the question facing Jason Wilcox and co, should Fernandes opt to call it quits at the end of the season, with the club having become so intertwined with their captain in recent years.
Bruno-Fernandes-stats-timeless
Almost an everpresent since his arrival back in January 2020, missing just six games through illness or injury, rarely have the Red Devils gone to battle without their midfield general, ensuring it's difficult to know how the team will function without him.
A "creative machine" - in the view of ex-Manchester City rival, Kevin De Bruyne - Fernandes has already registered 12 assists this season in the league, while creating 18 'big chances' in total.
Finding a successor to such a talent is arguably an impossible task, although in the view of one Premier League analyst, Gibbs-White is the "most similar player to Bruno Fernandes" out there.
That is a bold claim, although the likeness between the pair is easy to see, with the England international emerging as a talisman himself at Forest, leading from the front as captain in recent seasons.
gibbs-white-forest (2)
Operating typically as a number ten, albeit with the ability to be deployed deeper, like Fernandes, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is another capable of the spectacular, be it creatively or when scoring himself.
The current campaign has been a poor one it must be said, both individually and on a collective basis, although Gibbs-White has been a real consistent force prior to that, notably registering 15 goals and assists in 2023/24 in the Premier League, while creating 16 'big chances'.
Fernandes vs Gibbs-White - 24/25 PL
Stat (*per game)
Games
Goals
Assists
Big chances missed
Big chances created
Key passes*
Pass accuracy*
Ball lost*
Total duels won*
Touches*
As for last term, the elegant right-footer again racked up 15 goal involvements, while creating ten 'big chances', highlighting that Fernandes-like ability to both win a game himself, while also supplying the goods for those around him.
A demanding captain, like Fernandes he is not one to hide his emotions, often seeing scorning a teammate for a failed attempt or missed pass, undoubtedly setting high standards as the talisman at the City Ground.
A stylistic and statistical copy of the Portuguese sensation, albeit while having not quite hit such heights as yet, Gibbs-White might just be the best option INEOS can find, should United's number eight drift off to pastures new.
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