Manchester United: Three reasons why Bruno Fernandes will be a success

3. He is the perfect fit

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likes to play an expansive style of football at Manchester United. The Norwegian boss’s philosophy mainly concentrates on quick build up play and fast attacking movement to hit teams on the counter attack.

To deploy this style Ole Gunnar Solskjaer normally plays a 4-3-3 formation. Often in this formation Solskjaer has two deep lying midfielders and one who is further forward in a more advanced role, this is sometimes Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira or Juan Mata. The trio however all lack some key qualities to fulfil the role. Lingard, for example does not have the necessary ‘creative eye’ meanwhile Juan Mata is not able to keep up with the pace of the game with his ageing legs and Andreas Pereira is simply just not good enough for the Red Devils and struggles with his creative side of the game.

Bruno Fernandes is the perfect fit for Solskjaer’s style. The Portuguese midfielder has the energy to maintain the high pressing and rapid moving attacking football but also the skill and the creativity to conjure up chances for his team-mates regularly.

Fernandes has the right amount positional understanding and the awareness on the pitch which is paramount for this type of formation.

The Sporting man could be the player to make the formation finally come to life and the long needed replacement for Juan Mata.

His pace and his ability to unlock defences should make a huge difference at Manchester United and help the Red Devils find their feet.

United have benefited from Portuguese signings from Sporting in the past with the likes of Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes could become the next player on that list.

What do you think will Bruno Fernandes be a success at Manchester United?