After securing third place in the Premier League<\/a> last season, many Manchester United<\/a> supporters are expecting Michael Carrick<\/a> to mount a title charge in 2026\/27.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n INEOS have certainly backed the manager in his attempts for success at Old Trafford, with over \u00a3150m being spent to improve the senior ranks to date.<\/p>\n All of the money has been invested into the central midfield department, with such an area seen as the weakest area after Casemiro\u2019s departure at the end of June.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the winter of 2020, very few United fans knew much about attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes<\/a> after his move from Sporting CP, but it\u2019s safe to say the 31-year-old has exceeded all expectations.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Most assists in a Premier League season<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n Bruno Fernandes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 21<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Kevin De Bruyne<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Thierry Henry<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Mesut \u00d6zil<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Mohamed Salah<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Cesc Fabregas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Frank Lampard<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Kevin De Bruyne<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n His record-breaking tally of 21 assists in the Premier League last season has forever cemented him in history, and further showcases why he\u2019s been one of the club\u2019s best-ever signings.<\/p>\n He\u2019s even taken his efforts to new heights in 2026\/27, subsequently registering a hat-trick and an assist in Sunday\u2019s 5-2 demolition of newly-promoted Ipswich Town.<\/p>\n There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n At 31, there\u2019s no denying he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Landing a like-for-like replacement at present remains a huge task, but the board have seemingly decided that Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi<\/a> could be the player to fill his boots.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been reported by CaughtOffside that the Red Devils have made enquires and held talks with the player\u2019s representatives over the possibility of a move to Old Trafford.<\/p>\n However, any deal could well be tricky to complete, as fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool also continue to closely monitor the Frenchman\u2019s progress. A \u00a3100m valuation from earlier in the summer<\/a> also complicates matters.<\/p>\n\n Why Bruno Fernandes is United’s best signing in recent history<\/strong>
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\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How United can land their next Bruno Fernandes<\/strong>
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