Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes returned to Carrington this week, and he will be thrilled by the new faces joining him at Manchester United this summer.
Having had a prolonged summer break, Bruno Fernandes is back after his record-breaking 2025/26 campaign for Manchester United. With the hope being that silverware is on the cards this coming campaign.
Fernandes arrives back at United with almost an entirely re-shaped midfield behind him. Fernandes won’t have Casemiro, while Manuel Ugarte won’t be back until 2027, having torn his ACL, but the group he now has is a massive improvement.
Kobbie Mainoo is the one consistent, while Mason Mount has become a midfield option for United, thanks to his pre-season performances being so impressive. Additionally, United’s midfield department now also includes Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
These signings make Fernandes a big winner.
Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Bruno Fernandes will love Manchester United’s new midfield
Manchester United haven’t had a midfield this strong in years, and the current options available to Michael Carrick make it clear that he wanted to improve the footballing ability at the club, with intentions to build a PSG-style midfield.
In Tielemans and Santos, United have signed two midfielders who first and foremost excel on the ball which is a big change from Casemiro and Ugarte, who didn’t allow United to play good football.
This change in identity and plan within the United midfield is excellent news for Fernandes.
Tielemans and Santos are both excellent progressive passers, offering United some creativity from deep, which hasn’t been as the club in a long time, and due to this, the focus from opponents and the demands will be lessened on Fernandes.
This should see Fernandes with more space, not needing to drop deep and limit himself in the final third, and also should see his goals and assists continue to flow as defences will have to consider Tielemans and Santos splitting lines with passes, not just Fernandes.
Carrick is turning United from a reactive, counter-attacking side to a dominant, possession-first team who break other sides down instead of relying on transitions. Fernandes will enjoy the new midfield teammates he has, and it should, in theory, make him a much more dangerous player and goal scorer.
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Will Bruno Fernandes start against PSG?
Fernandes returned this week, yet already he is days away from a return to action with United facing PSG this Saturday in Sweden.
This will be yet another massive test for United and Carrick, with the strongest possible side likely to start, and this involves Fernandes as the attacking midfielder, with Tielemans and Santos likely to be behind him.
Shea Lacey has been deputising Fernandes this summer to great success, and he seems to have the back-up attacking midfielder role on lock, with the perfect mentor to teach him the ropes during this season.
Fernandes will start against PSG, while Lacey should replace him in the second-half.