After securing third place in the Premier League last season, many Manchester United supporters are expecting Michael Carrick to mount a title charge in 2026/27.
INEOS have certainly backed the manager in his attempts for success at Old Trafford, with over £150m being spent to improve the senior ranks to date.
All of the money has been invested into the central midfield department, with such an area seen as the weakest area after Casemiro’s departure at the end of June.
However, the likes of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans will have a huge task on their hands if they are to emulate the success of one other senior squad member.
Why Bruno Fernandes is United’s best signing in recent history
In the winter of 2020, very few United fans knew much about attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes after his move from Sporting CP, but it’s safe to say the 31-year-old has exceeded all expectations.
The Portuguese international has been an integral part of the Red Devils squad since his move nearly seven years ago, with the midfielder more often than not the man who leads the club through tough periods.
He’s netted 110 goals and laid on 106 assists within his 329 appearances at Old Trafford, with no other player able to get near such a record during his time in Manchester.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent by the hierarchy to hand various managers attacking talents, but Bruno has remained a key figure throughout it all.
Most assists in a Premier League season | |
|---|---|
Player | Tally |
Bruno Fernandes | 21 |
Kevin De Bruyne | 20 |
Thierry Henry | 20 |
Mesut Özil | 19 |
Mohamed Salah | 18 |
Cesc Fabregas | 18 |
Frank Lampard | 18 |
Kevin De Bruyne | 18 |
His record-breaking tally of 21 assists in the Premier League last season has forever cemented him in history, and further showcases why he’s been one of the club’s best-ever signings.
He’s even taken his efforts to new heights in 2026/27, subsequently registering a hat-trick and an assist in Sunday’s 5-2 demolition of newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
There’s no denying Fernandes will play a vital role for the Red Devils this season – especially if the club are to end their 14-year wait for a Premier League title.
How United can land their next Bruno Fernandes
Despite the recent form of Fernandes for United, INEOS will be keeping a close eye on the market to land the next version of the Portuguese international for Carrick.
At 31, there’s no denying he’s coming to the end of his career at the top level, with a younger alternative needed in the near future to soften the blow of his eventual departure.
Landing a like-for-like replacement at present remains a huge task, but the board have seemingly decided that Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi could be the player to fill his boots.
It’s been reported by CaughtOffside that the Red Devils have made enquires and held talks with the player’s representatives over the possibility of a move to Old Trafford.
However, any deal could well be tricky to complete, as fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool also continue to closely monitor the Frenchman’s progress. A £100m valuation from earlier in the summer also complicates matters.
It remains to be seen how much a deal could cost any of the interested parties, but such a deal may take place in a later window, with the 20-year-old sidelined until October after undergoing foot surgery.
Whilst competition for the youngster’s signature appears to be high, United must work tirelessly to secure Kroupi’s signature, as he has all the tools needed to be the long-term Fernandes replacement.
His stats from his debut campaign in the Premier League showcase his quality, with many of his figures seeing him rank highly compared to others in his position.
The Frenchman, who featured in a number ten role last term, registered an impressive tally of 1.2 shots on target per 90 last term – ranking him above 94% of attackers in Europe’s top-five league.
Such numbers showcase his ability to deliver the goods in front of goal, subsequently mirroring Fernandes’ efforts in the final third – as seen against Ipswich.
Kroupi also managed to create an impressive tally of 1.8 chances per 90 in England’s top-flight last season, which could see him offer a similar outlet to the Portuguese international behind the striker.
His ability to carry the ball into forward areas is evident in his 48% dribble success rate in 2025/26, which led to GOAL dubbing him as the “next Kylian Mbappe.”
Such praise simply cannot be understated, with his compatriot cementing himself as one of the world’s biggest attacking talents over the last couple of seasons.
It’s unclear how much a deal for Kroupi could cost this summer or in the future, but it’s clear he is a player who could massively improve in the years ahead.
Filling the boots of Fernandes is a near-impossible task, but a deal for the Bournemouth star could see the club land a player who can develop into a top-level talent in the years ahead.
