The feeling around Manchester United at the moment is one of positivity after their phenomenal victory over defending Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield.
Ruben Amorim masterminded the Red Devils to a 2-1 triumph on Sunday afternoon, with winger Bryan Mbeumo continuing his excellent start to life at Old Trafford.
Eyebrows were raised over his £71m transfer fee, but he’s already demonstrated his quality after netting three goals and one assist in his first nine outings across all competitions.
The Cameroonian international currently sits at the top of the club’s goalscoring charts, arguably looking as though he is the club’s biggest attacking threat at present.
However, the 26-year-old still has a long way to go until he reaches the levels produced by another first-team member during his own stint at Old Trafford.
Why Bruno is United’s best player since the Sir Alex era
Sir Alex Ferguson is a man who brought huge success to Man Utd, as seen by his tally of 13 Premier League titles won during his stint in charge of the Red Devils.
However, the club have massively lacked quality and success since his departure in 2013, but it’s safe to say Bruno Fernandes has been the shining light over recent years.
The Portuguese international joined the club in a £47m deal back in January 2020, racking up 100 goals and 84 assists within his 299 appearances for the Red Devils.
He’s often featured in a number ten or number eight position at Old Trafford, even staying put despite numerous big-money transfer links to move to Saudi Arabia.
As a result, Fernandes has accrued the captain’s armband in recent years, further reflecting the importance he currently brings to the club’s first-team squad.
The 31-year-old ranked highly amongst his teammates in the Premier League last season, subsequently sitting at the top of the goalscoring and assist charts.
Games played
36
1st
Goals scored
8
=1st
Big chances
16
1st
Chances created
91
1st
Long balls completed
82
1st
Assists
10
1st
He also created the most chances and big chances of any player in the squad, undoubtedly being the club’s biggest threat within the final third of the pitch.
However, the club may have found another superb talent in recent times, with such a talent arguably becoming their best since Bruno after his own arrival nearly six years ago.
The United star who’s the best signing since Bruno
After United’s 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season, it was crucial that Amorim transformed the side to prevent such a finish from repeating itself.
He was handed a £200m budget to make the changes he desired during the off-season, with Mbeumo just one of the additions made by the 40-year-old.
Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were also added to the ranks to provide needed quality and depth to the Red Devils’ forward line – after scoring just 44 times in the league last season.
However, other areas of the pitch were also bolstered during their spending spree, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens arriving at Old Trafford on deadline day.
The hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £18m for the 23-year-old’s signature in an attempt to finally solve the dire situation between the goalposts.
Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir both struggled to take the number one shirt under Amorim, which resulted in the board making the decision to land the Belgian.
The youngster had to bide his time before making his debut for the Red Devils, with Lammens so far only racking up two first-team appearances at present.
Games played
2
Minutes played
180
Saves made
8
Goals prevented
2.3
Goals conceded
1
Clean sheets
1
High claims
4
Passes completed
26
However, he’s already demonstrated his quality between the sticks, keeping one clean sheet against Sunderland and playing a key role in the triumph over Liverpool.
Lammens, who’s been dubbed “unbelievable” by Liam Canning, has already achieved a save percentage of 89%, whilst preventing 2.3 goals in his first two league outings.
The Belgian has also only conceded one to date, making two high claims per 90 and offering the United first-team the authority they’ve lacked in recent times.
His latest showing at Anfield saw him make five saves, undoubtedly allowing Amorim’s men to claim all three points – with his £18m fee now looking an absolute bargain.
Given the struggles in such a department over recent years, it’s a welcome sight for the supporters to have faith in a shot-stopper within the first-team ranks.
At just 23, he has bags of time to continue his development at the Theatre of Dreams and potentially make himself a fan-favourite in the process.
If he does continue on his current path, there’s no denying he will be one of their best additions in recent years – potentially being their best since Bruno joined in the winter of 2020.
