Sports
Amorim pushing Man Utd to sign “world’s most underrated player”
“I think he is underrated”. Those were the words of James Maddison, speaking on Monday Night Football last week, in reference to Manchester United‘s ever-reliable skipper, Bruno Fernandes.
It is almost a crime that there are those who will still overlook the Portuguese’s quality, with Maddison championing just what a genius he truly is, as was evident at Old Trafford last time out.
From his brace and delightful assist at Molineux, the 31-year-old followed that up with another goal and assist in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, ensuring only Erling Haaland (20) has registered more goal involvements than his 12 in the Premier League this season.
The playmaker’s best moment of the campaign arguably came in that madcap encounter with the Cherries, rifling home a picture-perfect free-kick into the roof of the net to wrestle the home side level.
If it wasn’t already clear, Monday showcased how, even while not in perhaps his preferred position, Fernandes remains a figure United should be building around, rather than looking to move on from.
Indeed, as Ruben Amorim seemingly would like to do, the Red Devils simply need to find a suitable, long-term partner for whom in that midfield duo.
Amorim leading Man Utd pursuit of ex-Premier League star
Midfield. Midfield. Midfield. There appears to be little doubt over United’s priority heading into 2026, even with links persisting regarding the club’s interest in Cherries star, Antoine Semenyo.
Kobbie Mainoo, yet to start a Premier League game this season, looks to be closer to a departure than staying put, while Manuel Ugarte – who didn’t even make it off the bench last time out – is also already on borrowed time at the Theatre of Dreams.
Fernandes’ current partner, Casemiro, is approaching the final six months of his contract, hence why a suitable successor is being touted, in the form of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and co.
Clearly, there is a desire to invest in a long-term, high-potential talent, although according to reports, Amorim would like to go down the experienced route, by acquiring a more left-field, Premier League proven figure.
As per reports in Spain, the Portuguese is said to be leading the club’s interest in ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, Ruben Neves, with the 28-year-old’s own current contract with Al-Hilal set to expire next summer.
While the Saudi side are in no hurry to sell, that expiring deal could allow Amorim and co to strike a deal in January, or secure a pre-contract agreement for the summer.
Why Man Utd could be targeting another Fernandes
Had things panned out differently, Fernandes might well have been lining up alongside his Portugal colleague, Neves, at Al Hilal, with the United captain speaking openly regarding his summer talks with the Pro League outfit.
Heading into January, the compatriots could well form a fresh midfield duo back in Manchester, should Amorim get his wish, with the chance to sign Neves for a knockdown price seemingly too good an opportunity to turn down.
A potential partner to Fernandes, the one-time Wolves hero could well be something of a replica of his international colleague, having been a talismanic figure himself back at Molineux.
Signed from Porto ahead of Wolves’ promotion-winning season in 2017/18, the all-action star enjoyed six fruitful years with the Old Gold, scoring 30 goals in 253 games for the club in all competitions.
While not prolific, like Fernandes, he has a real knack for the spectacular, regularly rifling home from range in what almost became trademark style. Indeed, 12 of his first 15 efforts came from outside the 18-year box.
Fernandes, as was evident on Monday night, is a master himself from range, sharing the spoils with new teammate Matheus Cunha last term with regards to goals scored by Premier League players outside the box.
Like Fernandes too, Neves’ quality hasn’t perhaps always led to rave reviews or glowing praise, with analyst Raj Chohan even suggesting last November that he has been the “most underrated player in world football” over the last few years.
|
Neves – Last two PL seasons |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (*per game) |
22/23 |
21/22 |
|
Games |
35 |
33 |
|
Goals |
6 |
4 |
|
Assists |
1 |
2 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
3 |
|
Key passes* |
0.9 |
0.8 |
|
Pass accuracy* |
84% |
84% |
|
Total duels won* |
53% |
48% |
|
Dribbled past* |
1.2 |
1.9 |
|
Possession lost* |
12.0 |
12.6 |
Of course, that might have been caused by his move away from the limelight after heading to Saudi Arabia in 2023, although still a firm fixture under Roberto Martinez in the national team, the 63-cap sensation shouldn’t be written off or disregarded.
In his final Premier League season too (2022/23), Neves notably ranked in the top 20% of midfielders for progressive passes, the top 16% for total shots and the top 14% for interceptions, as per FBref, with two of the five most statistically similar players to him deemed to be Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
He might not be a signing for the real long-term, although like Fernandes before him, the 5 foot 11 ace could hit the ground running at Old Trafford, proving the midfield solution that United have long needed.
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