If this is to be the final act of Bruno Fernandes’ Manchester United career, it would be a fitting farewell, given the Portuguese genius leading the way in Champions League qualifying.
Having almost left Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal last summer, by his own admission, the 31-year-old’s future is likely to be a talking point again following this summer’s World Cup, with more than a year left on his current deal.
More than six years after arriving from Lisbon, the United captain remains i The Old Trafford man, who leads the way again this season in assists, and his tally of eight Premier League goals has only been bettered by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Whether he stays or leaves remains to be seen, although his signing is a sign for his suitors to follow, with recent reports suggesting INEOS are pursuing the same talismanic midfielder in the summer.
The £100m target wants to join Man Utd this summer
There is still less than two months left until the end of the campaign, as there may be work to be done in order to hide the potential signings, or there is a new manager yet to be revealed.
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Man Utd’s final UCL starting XI |
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|---|---|
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0-1 vs Bayern Munich |
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Position |
The player |
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GK |
Onana** |
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RB |
Dalot |
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CB |
Maguire |
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CB |
Varane* |
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LB |
Shaw |
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DM |
Amrabat* |
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DM |
McTominay* |
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RM |
Anthony* |
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AM |
Fernandes |
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LM |
Garnacho* |
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ST |
Hojlund** |
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*sold – **out on loan |
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Last summer, INEOS already completed their first summer signing in early June, after agreeing a £62.5m signing with Wolverhampton Wanderers for Matheus Cunha.
More Premier League investment is likely to follow this time, with Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United appearing to be leading the way, amid the search for a replacement for the departing Casemiro.
As reported, sources have told Football FanCast that the Italy international is interested in a move to Old Trafford this summer, before joining Arsenal, as long as the Red Devils can secure Champions League football.
The 25-year-old is said to be keen to ‘solidify’ his place in United’s starting line-up for years to come, having previously signed for his current club in a £55m deal in the summer of 2023.
Any move this time could prove costly, amid suggestions it would take around £100m to prize him away from St James’ Park, thus surpassing Paul Pogba’s £89m capture as the club’s record signing.
Why Tonali could be the next Bruno Fernandes
When Fernandes walked through the door in January 2020, the impact was immediate, with the former Sporting CP star producing a Man of the Match display in his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Man Utd are set to make their new signing Fernandes in a British record transfer
Manchester United are looking to return to the top of the European tree next season.
The creative sensation has previously been a leading man back in Lisbon, with 113 goals and an assist in 137 games for his former club, after excelling in the top flight of Italian football with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria before that.
That’s similar to what Tonali has achieved in his career so far, with the in-demand midfielder, like Fernandes at Novara, starting life in Serie B with Brescia, before moving to AC Milan in 2020.
After 130 games at the San Siro, he was sold to Newcastle three years later, and has since racked up 20 goals and assists in 104 games under Eddie Howe’s watch.
With the added bonus of that Premier League experience, Tonali could follow in Fernandes’ footsteps by striking quickly in Manchester, without the necessary adaptation time.
Indeed, there is a similarity in that the two men joined at the same stage of their careers, and Tonali is only 25 years old, the same age as Fernandes when the deal was agreed six years ago.
As United’s Portuguese magnifico, there could be little doubt about the Italian’s ability to fit in, with United legend Paul Scholes previously naming Tonali as the best midfielder in the Premier League, while praising him as “the best [Declan] Rice”.
Equally, there will also be a hunger left for Tonali to win real major trophies, having won Serie A and the Carabao Cup so far. In the case of Fernandes, his time in Italy and Sporting produced only three Portuguese domestic cups.
Although the Newcastle man recently suffered the pain of missing out on World Cup qualification, despite netting in the semi-final win over Northern Ireland, his quality and ability are not in question, as it was a real, box-to-box affair on Tyneside.
An experienced player, yet young enough to last long in United’s midfield – like Fernandes – Tonali should definitely be an INEOS target this summer.
Man Utd are exploring a club record deal to sign bigger stars than Anderson & Tonali
Manchester United could make a bigger marquee signing this summer.
