Instant Impact
Bruno Fernandes has proved to be a transformative signing for Manchester United since his January 2020 move.
The Portuguese midfielder has provided 40 goals and 25 assists in his 79 appearances for the Red Devils, and played a massive role in his side’s second-place finish in the Premier League this season.
However, he cannot do it all by himself. Whilst help has been forthcoming in the form of veteran striker Edinson Cavani, it seems to often as if Fernandes is ploughing a lone furrow, with the side reliant on his brilliance to get any sort of result.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Manchester United and AS Roma at Old Trafford on April 29, 2021 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Midfield reinforcements:
One area that Manchester United need to strengthen is central midfield. Whilst Fred and Scott McTominay are not bad squad players, they tend to be unable to compete with the very top sides, whilst Paul Pogba’s best position remains a conundrum Ole Gunnar Solskjear needs to solve definitively.
Solskjear could have been dropped a hint by Fernandes about how to strengthen the area, however.
In an interview with Canal+ sport, the United midfielder was asked about who he would love to play with, and has this to say:
“Piotr Zieliński from Napoli.
Technically I can say that Piotr is better than me, he is a top player.
We used to play together at Udinese. I spoke to him a few months ago to tell him that I would like to play with him again.”
Piotr Zielinski has had a fabulous campaign with Napoli, despite enduring final day heartbreak as his side dropped out of the Champions League spots.
Making 36 Serie A appearances, the Polish international has contributed 8 goals and 11 assists from central midfield, and has taken over from Allan, who left in the summer for Everton, seamlessly.
Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Feyenoord and SSC Napoli at Feijenoord Stadion on December 6, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Talented on the ball and hardworking off it, 27-year-old Zielinski could be just what the Red Devils need to propel them into contention for the major honours that they are used to. They may be best off acting swiftly however, as a good European Championships could inflate Zielinski’s value even higher than the £41 million that transfermarkt.com suggests.
