Ian Wright Would Sign Man Utd’s Fernandes For Arsenal ‘Tomorrow’

As we edge closer to the business end of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has singled out the solitary Manchester United star that he would sign for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side ‘tomorrow’ if he was in charge of the recruitment process.

In truth, Arteta‘s men – who are, at the time of writing, sat at the top of the table with 36 points from 16 matches – are so well-rounded in terms of their strength in depth and any injuries are patched over relatively easily with the array of talent at the Spanish tactician’s disposal.

Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera filling in for defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes is the perfect example of Arsenal‘s brilliant recruitment in the years gone by – but Wright believes that a poorly-treated Old Trafford star would further enhance their squad.

‘I’d Take Him Tomorrow’ – Ian Wright Names Man Utd Star He’d Sign for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal

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Under Ruben Amorim this season, United have plenty more attacking talent to be envious of: Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha joined from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively, while Benjamin Sesko is one of the most exciting centre-forward prospects in world football.

The record-setting Bruno Fernandes, though, is still the stand-out star in the eyes of Wright. The former striker has widely criticised the club’s treatment of the Portuguese talisman – who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football – before admitting that he would take him at Arsenal ‘tomorrow’ if it was his choice.

“When you look at Bruno’s quotes, it comes back to Man United being indecisive,’ Wright said to the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap. “So someone comes in for Bruno Fernandes last summer… you shut that down. He didn’t want to go,” the striker-turned-pundit continued.

“They gave him the option and said, ‘if you want to go, you can go’. What is that saying to him? I would take him tomorrow,” Arsenal hero Wright, who has become a beloved figure in the punditry sphere for his down-to-earth, made-for-consumption personality. Wright’s comments come after Fernandes shared his stance on an exit from Old Trafford.

Speaking to Canal 11 while on international duty earlier this year, which aired earlier this week, the midfielder said: “The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision. I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club.

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Fernandes, putting his future at Old Trafford in major doubt by claiming the Red Devils higher-ups were keen to sell him for big bucks in the summer, continued: “I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give my all. Then you see things around you, players who don’t value the club as much and don’t defend them club as much… that makes you said.”

A Closer Look at Bruno Fernandes’ Future at Man Utd

Not only would Wright’s former side, Arsenal, be interested in signing Fernandes if his signature is made available in the summer given how talented he is, but there will be no shortage of suitors for the former Sporting CP playmaker, who has racked up 28 goals and 85 appearances for Portugal.

BBC journalist Simon Stone, however, has confirmed that Old Trafford higher-ups are not planning on parting ways with their trusty captain after almost six years of service. The report also claims they do not want him to leave with him being viewed as a key cog in their long-term plans.

Fernandes was subject to a £100 million bid from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal in the summer of 2025, but a year on, and it’s unlikely they’d be able to coup the same fee for the versatile midfielder, who is able to play behind the striker but also in a two-man pivot in the engine room.

The beating heart of United ever since his January 2020 arrival, selling Fernandes would be a huge risk by virtue of the fact he’s notched 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 outings since his Portugal-to-England move. You just can’t trust the club to reinvest the money pocketed from his sale.

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 20/12/2025