SM
Wolves vs. Forest: 5 hrs 51 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

How Manchester United could line up with Bruno Fernandes

:Headline: How Manchester United could line up with Bruno Fernandes: ID:363829: from db_amp
Manchester United have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Bruno Fernandes, but how would the Sporting Lisbon midfielder fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side?

Manchester United have already made two first-team signings this summer, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to make several more additions before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Winger Daniel James was the first to arrive - joining on a long-term deal from Swansea City - before United pushed through the transfer of Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka last weekend.

Priority will now be placed on central areas as United look to strengthen in defence and midfield, while also attempting to fend off any interest in Paul Pogba.

Sporting Lisbon playmaker Bruno Fernandes is said to be on United's radar, having contributed 20 goals and 13 assists in Portugal's top flight last season.

However, it is unclear whether United regard the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Pogba, or whether they see the pair providing creativity and goals behind the attack.

Here, Sports Mole assesses how United may line up next season, providing that the pair are both at Old Trafford.



Solskjaer has regularly suggested that he wants United to play with fast-paced attacking style, although he may have to sacrifice that idea in order to accommodate Fernandes and Pogba.

There is little doubting that the duo would provide goals on a regular basis, but the drawback to that is more defensive work being placed on Nemanja Matic, a player who was - at best - inconsistent last season.

Scott McTominay is an obvious alternative, though, providing that Solskjaer has no qualms about his relative lack of experience in comparison to his other options in that area.

Fernandes or Pogba could each play in a more reserved role - as they sometimes do for their respective nations - but Solskjaer would have to find the right balance, something which may prove to be easier said than done.

The Norwegian also has to think about his front three. The preference will be to play with two wingers who have limited defensive responsibilities, requiring a central midfielder to sometimes fill a void when without the ball.

However, Solskjaer would not necessarily get the best out of Fernandes or Pogba if they were used in this way, which may perhaps lead to Jesse Lingard getting the nod over the likes of James and Juan Mata on the right flank.

amp_article__363829 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-07-12 05:10:13:
html db last update - 2019-07-12 05:10:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Bruno Fernandes future - Click here for more stories

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .