While it's by no means a certainty that Manchester United will play Champions League football next season, it's fair to say that
Michael Carrick's men are in better nick than the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, two wins ahead of the latter, who are fifth in the Premier League.
Few thought this could be possible when Ruben Amorim was sacked at the start of January, leaving the Red Devils after a paltry 23 wins across 65 matches in all competitions, finishing 15th last season.
Ruben-Amorim-Man-Utd-top-scorers-timeless
However, director Jason Wilcox and the INEOS superiors will be acutely aware of the many false dawns littered down the road, and the need to use this resurgence as a springboard.
In order to do so, elite signings are needed, and with Casemiro leaving at the end of his contract, signing a midfielder is the priority, with Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes emerging as a top contender.
The latest on Bruno Guimaraes to Man Utd
This won't be an easy one to pull off, but amid the uncertainty at St. James' Park, Man United are interested in snapping up their skipper, who is regarded as "one of the best Premier League signings in recent years" by journalist Sam Dean (and surely many others).
Eddie Howe has spoken of his frustration about recent rumours linking Guimaraes with a move to Old Trafford, but the rumours are not baseless, and the Brazilian has indeed been earmarked as the perfect man to succeed Casemiro at the base of the United midfield.
The 28-year-old has been at the centre of speculation for a while now, and though Newcastle are desperate to tie him down to a new deal, interest is only going to ramp up as the Magpies' hopes of playing in Europe next season continue to diminish.
Should that happen, moreover, their £100m price tag may been to flake away, and the groundwork that INEOS are putting in already could see them sign a truly special midfielder, whose all-action, elegant style of play will help spearhead an illustrious new era.
Bruno-Guimaraes
It's crucial that Man United throw the kitchen sink at this talented Premier League star, but it's got us thinking: Carrick might actually have his own version of the Brazilian maestro under his wing.
Man Utd already have their own Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes is an accomplished midfielder, someone who could elevate the Man United squad, and while Kobbie Mainoo has the makings of the next Guimaraes, that's not to say that interest in the Newcastle star should be parked.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo-1
But the young England international might actually be United's own version of the superstar, and if Guimaraes is signed, he could actually mould his game off his elite teammate.
Former Red Devil Alejandro Garnacho once said that the Three Lions star is the “best player in the squad”. Amorim wasn't a subscriber to that belief. It's unlikely that Bruno Fernandes is either, but Mainoo is starting to show that he's an elite prospect, even projected as a "future £100m+ footballer" by journalist Alex Turk.
His performance in January's Manchester derby, having spent so long on the periphery in Amorim's system, was sure to have left the Portuguese coach hot under the collar, since sustaining a high level for Carrick.
Like Guimaraes, Mainoo is strong and physical, and he has a vast understanding of the technical side of the game too, influential on the ball.
He can sit deep, but his athleticism also lends itself to progressive play, and there's a case to be made that he is better in a box-to-box role than as an anchor.
With that in mind, the 20-year-old truly could be the next Bruno, Man United's own version. However, with the need for midfielders so great, we might just see both plying their trade at England's greatest outfit next season.
Kobbie Mainoo in the Premier League
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels won*
Stats via Sofascore
He's not there yet, but Mainoo has the makings of an elite Premier League midfielder, and while he could serve alongside Guimaraes over the next several years at Old Trafford, he could end up taking the baton from a player who could propel the side back into the ascendancy after so long away.
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