Manchester United have agreed to sign Bruno Fernandes from the Portuguese side Sporting CP for £ 68m. The midfielder is signing a five-and-a-half-year contract with an annual salary of around £ 3.4m per year.
Former United centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, believes Fernandes can make an impact and show fans how talented he is in the Premier League.
“I’ve spoke to a few of his team-mates at national level. Cristiano Ronaldo said he’s fantastic and creates chances for him, that he can manipulate the ball, he’ll take the ball, confident.” Ferdinand said.
“These are the type of things you want to hear. Based on what I’ve heard about him, what I’ve seen, I’m confident this guy will do the job.
“Nani, my old team-mate, said he’s a fantastic player and perfect for England. He’s got all the right attributes.” Ferdinand added.
Fernandes has gone on to score 64 goals in 137 matches in all competitions and won the Portuguese Cup in 2018/19. He was also named the Primeira Liga’s player of the year in both 2017/18 and 2018/19.
“Are we happy? Yes we are. What does it mean? It means goals, it means creativity, it means vision, it means guile, it means assists, it means chances created.” Ferdinand said.
“That’s what he brings to the table. It’s a man who actually beat Frank Lampard’s record in midfield in terms of goal scoring. He did it.
“He did it at Sporting Lisbon. This guy, I’ve seen him do it in a national team shirt for Portugal – he has got the skills to pay the bills.
“But, will he produce at Manchester United? This season he carried on where he left off with goals and assists. He knows how to create chances.” he added.
It is clear to anyone who watches Man United on a semi-regular basis that where they need to improve is midfield; they need that presence, that technique, that will get in the box and Fernandes is got all of those.
“They’ve been able to counter-attack teams with the speed and pace up front. But where they’ve found it difficult is against teams who sit there and wait, especially at Old Trafford, who wait to be beaten and play tight lines. They’ve found it difficult when there’s no space in behind.” Ferdinand said.
