For an initial fee of £47 million rising to £67 million, the money Manchester United paid for Bruno Fernandes looks like a bargain, even if the club pay the full amount.
Fernandes became the second Manchester United player since Robin van Persie to score a Premier League hat-trick at the weekend.
The Manchester United midfielder’s numbers are prolific, and befitting of a striker.
Fernandes now has 43 Manchester United goals after his hat-trick at the weekend.
This saw him overtake Nani, who managed 41, and Louis Saha and Romelu Lukaku, who were on 42. Fernandes has reached his tally of 43 in fewer games than each of the trio he overtook.
Fernandes bagged 28 goals last season alone to finish as the club’s top scorer and now off to a fast start, he will fancy his chances of bettering that tally this coming season.
29 of Fernandes’ total 43 goals have come in the Premier League. Only Harry Kane has netted more since the midfielder joined United in January 2020.
When it comes to goals and assists, Fernandes is clear. He has 19 league assists since making his debut, and he now has 48 goals and assists in league matches in 52 games, four more goal contributions than any other player.
Unmatched
Fernandes began well for United, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in the second half of 2019/20 after arriving midway through.
It was feared he may not be able to keep up that pace. Last season showed he can, and with concerns over burnout at the end of the campaign emerging, a summer’s rest has done him good, with Fernandes beginning the 2021/22 season with a bang.
Amid all the discussion over player value, it looks more and more like United got a bargain for Fernandes with the price paid, and clubs across Europe will be kicking themselves for not buying him.
Fernandes is more than just a scorer and a creator, he is a personality, who lifts the team and urges them on, and is the first to front up after a defeat. He is the type of character this side needed, and had lacked.
The weekend win was the perfect start to the season, and Fernandes has shown he is as ruthless as ever, and determined to make this campaign a success.
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