Bruno Fernandes 'One of My Best Team-Mates,' Says Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar
Mar 19, 2020
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 8, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has said one of the best team-mates he has had during his career is Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
The 25-year-old played alongside Fernandes at Sampdoria during the 2016-17 season.
In a Q&A session on Inter's Facebook page, Skriniar was asked who is the best player he has played alongside, and he replied:
"I don't know if I can choose just one. I've played with lots of top players at Inter and Sampdoria. At Samp, I would say Bruno Fernandes who is now of Manchester United. I rated him then and knew he was a great player."
Fernandes spent just a single season at Samp, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 34 Serie A appearances, before joining Sporting Lisbon in June 2017.
His two-and-a-half seasons with Sporting saw him return 39 goals and 28 assists in 83 league appearances in Portugal:
67 - Since the start of 2017-18, when Bruno Fernandes joined Sporting CP from Sampdoria, he has been involved in more goals than any other player in the Portuguese Primeira Liga (67 goal involvements: 39 goals, 28 assists). Adored. pic.twitter.com/l8s6ZOvBY6
In January, Fernandes moved to Old Trafford in a deal initially worth £47 million, and he has already made a huge impact at the club.
Outside of his impressive stats—two goals and three assists in five Premier League games—the Portugal international has transformed the way United attack:
Bruno Fernandes among MUFC players in February:
most successful final 1/3 passes (61) most passes into the box (41) most passes into final 1/3 (30) most total shots (10) most chances created (7) most assists (2)
It is no coincidence that United are currently on an 11 game unbeaten run, matching the remarkable run that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer manufactured when he took over from Jose Mourinho as United manager in December 2018.
With Fernandes in the side, it seems unlikely United's form will subsequently fall off a cliff, as it did at the end of 2018-19 when they lost eight of their last 12 games of the season.
With football across Europe suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, that theory has yet to be tested.
But the impact Fernandes has made at Old Trafford in just a matter of weeks is a hint at how influential a player he could become at the club in the coming seasons.
Claudio Marchisio Told Paul Pogba 'He Was Wrong' to Rejoin Manchester United
Mar 19, 2020
TURIN, ITALY - MAY 01: Paul Pogba (R) and Claudio Marchisio of Juventus show their dejection at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi final match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Arena on May 1, 2014 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Claudio Marchisio has said he advised Paul Pogba "he was wrong" to return to Manchester United in 2016, adding he'd be very happy to see his former Juventus team-mate move back to Turin.
Pogba first left United on a free transfer in 2012 when he joined the Bianconeri, but he re-signed for the Red Devils four years later for a club-record £89 million fee.
Marchisio toldTuttosport (h/t Goal's Chris Burton) he was against Pogba moving back to Old Trafford at the time and recommended a transfer to La Liga instead:
"I would be very happy [if he re-signed for Juventus]. I told him that he was wrong to go to Manchester, and that if he really wanted to change he should choose Spain.
"Having said that, his return would be extremely positive, Paul would be reborn in the environment he loves and pampers him the most.
"And he would give Juventus a lot as they need someone like him in the middle: He is a great professional."
Pogba hasn't featured for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side since Boxing Day after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury, though he's largely failed to live up to expectations in his second stint at the club. His only two trophies at United are the UEFA Europa League and Carabao Cup double they won in 2017.
The midfielder won eight titles in Turin—four successive Serie A triumphs, two Coppa Italia crowns and two Italian Super Cups—and Juventus wished their former star a happy 27th birthday on Sunday:
Eight trophies in Bianconero 🏆, many spectacular goals ⚽️, and much more 🔝
Marchisio, 34, joined the Juventus academy in 1993 and spent 25 years at the club before joining Zenit St. Petersburg, but he terminated his contract early and announced his retirement in October 2019. The Bianconeri legend was still a prominent member of the team for almost all of Pogba's tenure in Turin.
Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, told Marca (h/t Goal) on Thursday that he will attempt to bring "a great footballer" to Real Madrid this summer, inevitably drawing links that Pogba is a possibility.
Raiola continues to insist the playmaker is committed to United for the time being. However, he told La Repubblica(h/tFootball Italia) in December he "wouldn't bring any one [of his clients]" to Old Trafford in future, adding: "Paul needs a team and club like the Juventus team he played in."
The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel reported earlier in March that Pogba is now open to signing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford and is excited by the prospect of linking up with Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
The Athletic's Andy Mitten told Talk of The Devils he envisioned a new future for Pogba in United's midfield:
🎙️ 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗦
"Man United wasn't the dream he was sold in 2016 - but it could be."@AndyMitten tells @LaurieWhitwell & @Ankaman616 why he thinks Paul Pogba's #MUFC career could be far from over.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2020
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has a little less than 18 months remaining on his current contract, though United retain the option to extend his deal by 12 months.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said in May 2018 that he felt Pogba's success at Juventus was somewhat exaggerated while admitting the player is "naturally more talented" than he was, via Hayters TV:
Maurizio Sarri would likely welcome the chance to work with the Frenchman, while Juve will also be wary that Blaise Matuidi and Sami Khedira's contracts are each set to expire in June 2021.
Juventus proved with the €100 million signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 that they have substantial spending capability, but the club would almost definitely have to beat that figure in order to re-sign Pogba.
Odion Ighalo's Agent Says He's 'Reaping What He Deserves' at Manchester United
Mar 17, 2020
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Odion Ighalo of Manchester United celebrates at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 8, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
The agent of Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has said the striker is "reaping what he deserves" with the club he grew up supporting after making a successful start at Old Trafford.
Ighalo has scored four goals in only three starts for United (eight total appearances) after joining the club on a six-month loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January.
The 30-year-old is something of a journeyman, with United being the 10th club of his senior career, and his agent, Patrick Bastianelli, described the transfer to Old Trafford as "a prize" for his client's hard work.
Bastianelli told Tuttosport (h/t Sport Witness): "Odion is reaping what he deserves after many sacrifices, after many years around Europe. Manchester is a prize for everything he's shown in recent years."
Ighalo—who scored 15 Premier League goals for Watford during the 2015-16 campaign—said in his first interview as a United player that he had dreamed of playing for the English giants since he was young.
Marcus Rashford's absence due to a double stress fracture in his back meant United were forced to make a late signing in January, and Ighalo's performances and personality have quickly made him a hit among fans.
The forward recently shared photos from his trip to the Ighalo Orphanage Home, a site in northern Lagos, Nigeria, which he helped build in 2017:
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his ability to affect those around him positively @ighalo_orphanage_home ❤️❤️❤️ IGHALO ORPHANAGE HOME 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/oU8txA5jq9
Bastianelli added: "It's part of his character, of his great seriousness. He scored many goals. He always has a positive attitude. Odion is a person who always looks ahead, always in a positive way."
Ighalo's first experience of European football was with Norwegian outfit Lyn. He joined the Pozzo family-owned Udinese in 2008 but was farmed out to Cesena and Granada (also owned by the Pozzos) before finding his way to a third Pozzo-owned club, Watford, in 2014.
He helped bring both Granada and Watford to the top tiers of Spanish and English football, respectively, before spending the past three years of his career in China.
Ighalo has yet to score in 31 minutes of Premier League football across four matches since his return, though he has played an important role in steadying United up top in some of those substitute appearances.
His most recent strike for the club was a superb juggling effort during Thursday's 5-0 hammering of LASK Linz in the UEFA Europa League round of 16:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrg1YRscgh0
Ighalo told his agent he didn't care how much his pay would be cut if it meant playing for United prior to the deal, a determination that could put him in good stead to complete a permanent move come the summer.
His prolific numbers so far at Old Trafford may be enough to convince the club despite the fact that he turns 31 in June, with United benefiting from his experience and upbeat personality thus far.
Manchester United Postpone 1st-Team Training Due to Coronavirus Concerns
Mar 17, 2020
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks on prior to the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, central England on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United have joined the list of Premier League teams who have suspended training in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
It was announced on March 13 that all professional football in England was to be suspended until at least April 3, though the fate of the Premier League and other European campaigns remains uncertain.
United released a statement on Tuesday that read: "In light of the latest governmental guidance, and as a sensible precaution, the first team, women's team and Academy players will now be training individually, away from club facilities."
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News wrote that United's players had "provisionally been given three days off," as well as personalised training programmes to complete at home.
Prior to the break, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side enjoyed an 11-match unbeaten run from January 26, which included two wins over Manchester City and Chelsea.
United's most recent result prior to the European football suspension was a 5-0 UEFA Europa League win over LASK Linz, dominating their round-of-16 first leg in front of an empty Linzer Stadion in Austria:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrg1YRscgh0
The Premier League was the last of Europe's five major divisions to suspend first-team activities. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi each returned positive tests for the COVID-19 respiratory illness shortly before the announcement to postpone matches.
CNN reported the coronavirus had reached more than 182,000 confirmed cases and resulted in more than 7,100 deaths worldwide as of Tuesday morning.
Paul Hirst of The Times wrote that Paul Pogba was due to train on Tuesday with United.
Pogba—who hasn't featured since Boxing Day because of an ankle injury—used his birthday on March 15 as an opportunity to raise funds for the United Nations Children's Fund in the fight against the coronavirus:
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has made only eight appearances this season after his injury setbacks, but United can hope he'll have more sway over their end to the campaign following any delays.
The Mirror's John Cross reported on Tuesday that UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin will hold multiple conference calls on Tuesday to decide how European football will end the season.
Bruno Fernandes Talks 'Idol' Cristiano Ronaldo, 'Incredible' Old Trafford Crowd
Mar 17, 2020
LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - NOVEMBER 17: Portugal Bruno Fernandes of Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal warms up during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Luxembourg and Portugal on November 17, 2019 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has said he views Cristiano Ronaldo as an "idol" and has spoken of how the forward welcomed him into the Portugal setup.
Fernandes has developed into one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the game over the past couple of seasons and has cemented his place in the international squad as a result.
Speaking to Cronache Di Spogliatoio (h/t Sam France of Goal), Fernandes outlined how Ronaldo helped him when he made his senior debut for the Selecao in 2017:
"He welcomed me very well to the Portugal national team. We look at him as an idol; he has always been an idol for me. I followed his example, he is one of my favourites.
"When I was called up by Portugal, he came to me saying, 'You are doing a good job at Sporting, I like it.' Words like these make the difference."
While Fernandes made his debut for Portugal three years ago, the 2018-19 season was a breakthrough for the midfielder, and he developed a reputation as one of the fastest rising stars in European football.
Fernandes netted 20 league goals in the campaign, and speculation was rampant regarding a transfer ahead of the current term. He had to wait until January to get his big move to Manchester United, although the early indications are that it will be money well spent by the Red Devils.
Fernandes won the Premier League's February Player of the Month award:
In the same interview, Fernandes said how much he enjoys playing in front of his new fans at Old Trafford:
"At Old Trafford you warm up with nobody in the stands, you hear nothing in the tunnel, and then you enter the pitch and you hear an incredible noise. If you talk about stadiums that everyone knows, the most historic are San Siro and Old Trafford."
While it's early days at United for Fernandes, the impact he has been able to have will be exciting for supporters. Having Ronaldo as a sounding board and an example to follow will only help his transition to English football.
On the international stage, Fernandes may be the man to take the team forward:
It was taken as a given that when Ronaldo eventually winds down his incredible career Bernardo would be Portugal's main man. That may still be the case but great to see he's got strong competition from Bruno, maybe Félix too. https://t.co/Jh23xcWcUn
Following in Ronaldo's footsteps would be a challenge to any player, though, given the Juventus star is rated as one of the best players of his generation. In addition to his many accomplishments with United, Real Madrid and the Bianconeri, he inspired Portugal to European Championship glory in 2016.
With Ronaldo and Fernandes, Portugal would have had high hopes of retaining their title this summer. However, a suspension of the competition appears to be inevitable due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Diogo Dalot Backs Bruno Fernandes to Become a Manchester United Legend
Mar 16, 2020
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford on February 27, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has backed team-mate Bruno Fernandes to become a club legend during his time at Old Trafford.
Dalot told the club's podcast that the 25-year-old, who has made a bright start to life at Old Trafford, will learn and improve with the Red Devils (h/tCharlotte Dunckerat Goal):
"He's a top guy, a top player. He is going to be legend. He's unbelievable, he can be better of course as well. He's going to learn a lot from this club.
"I think he is a massive player to have in this team and he's going to be a very good player for this club. He’s going to be (a legend), no doubt about that.
"He was the captain at Sporting, of course he's an experienced player as well, 25 years old, he's played in Italy, he played in Portugal as well. He knows what he is doing. It's going to be very good for him."
Fernandes has made an instant impression at Old Trafford since joining the club from Sporting CP in January on a five-and-a-half year contract.
The midfielder has four goals and three assists in nine appearances for the Red Devils, and his performances through February have seen him pick up a host of individual awards:
Manchester United have been in strong form in 2020. The Red Devils have not tasted defeat in their past 11 outings in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in eight of those games.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently praised Fernandes for the impact he has had on the club and compared him to two former players:
Solskjaer on Bruno Fernandes
🗣 "He has come in and given everyone a big boost, not just the team, but the supporters too. He felt from the first minute like a big personality in our group. He was confident straight away and is like a mix of Scholes and Veron."
Fernandes has not lost a game since joining Manchester United and has added much-needed creativity, verve and goals to the attack. His arrival has also fuelled optimism that the Red Devils are heading in the right direction under Solskjaer.
How Bruno Fernandes Changed the Culture of Manchester United
Mar 16, 2020
Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Manchester United, north west England on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
It was just 13 minutes into his Manchester United debut that Bruno Fernandes showed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he was the man they had been looking for.
The boss had seen his wonder goals, witnessed his enthusiasm in training, but here he was going into a sudden 50/50 tackle with Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho.
Those close to Solskjaer's backroom team say they were delighted with the way he dealt with that moment. As the ball span free after an initial duel between Andreas Pereira and Diogo Jota, Fernandes swept in with a hard, fair challenge that left his compatriot on the turf.
It has been a while since there was genuine optimism around Old Trafford—but the doom and gloom has lifted, and their major January signing is a major reason for that. He's changed the mentality both on and off the pitch.
He's got the tools United have been missing in a midfielder, and that moment against Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Moutinho took two minutes to get back to his feet, helped set the tone for Fernandes, who is United's new Portuguese darling and now the February Premier League Player of the Month.
Fernandes has not lost a game since arriving at United, and every person at the club has been lifted by his arrival. He's brought intelligence, craft and tenacity on the field and determination, professionalism and joy around the training complex.
This United team are no longer in crisis. In fact, they have seemingly forgotten how to lose, and it's no fluke this run has coincided with the signing of Fernandes—a man who has changed the culture of the club.
Bruno Fernandes is the February Premier League Player of the Month. He only arrived on January 30th pic.twitter.com/7vUufR69Mo
That tackle on Moutinho in his first match displayed a desire that United have often lacked in the centre of the park. In these early weeks, even former club captain Roy Keane—the harshest of critics—has been impressed.
As one United insider puts it: "There are very few players to have made such an early impact on the football club."
An assist at LASK in the 5-0 win on Thursday was his fourth in a United shirt. He also has three goals to his name, but his influence runs much deeper than that.
From his first training session, team-mates discovered how adventurous Fernandes is in his play. He wants the ball in any situation, no matter how tight the space, and he wants to get the ball forward. If the odd pass goes astray, it doesn't matter. The risk-reward has become obvious, and United have become easier on the eye, with his sense of urgency starting to spread.
Midfielder Scott McTominay has been particularly boosted by the arrival of Fernandes. Sources say he has a similar mindset to the Portuguese in terms of expectation, and he has loved the constant demand for everyone to meet his high standards. Solskjaer feels McTominay will improve most out of all his midfielders, and B/R was told that it has already become apparent that Fernandes is keen to help the Scotsman develop, pulling him aside to offer simple words of advice when he feels he can help.
Insiders say Fernandes' arrival has also helped breathe new life into Fred, who has revived his career at United.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KswTob2guw4
Fred has been in good form for some time, but his growing friendship with Fernandes away from the club has been apparent to those around the training ground. The pair communicate in Portuguese, but insiders feel their connection has helped the overall midfield unity.
Fernandes does speak English, something that impressed United before signing him, but spent his early days close to the Spanish and Portuguese speakers in the squad.
The bond with Fred was built in that time, during United's training camp in Marbella as United headed for some sunshine during their winter break. Figures around the team are convinced that those days in Spain have proved crucial in helping him settle.
There was one night out in particular, organised by captain Harry Maguire, that brought the squad together and has had an impact on the atmosphere therein since.
Bleacher Report was also told that Fernandes has joined up the dressing room by helping those who do not speak English fluently and helping them converse more easily with the English talkers.
Other individuals are benefiting from his play—particularly Anthony Martial. The free-kick the pair combined with each other to score against Manchester City is just the beginning of a partnership that is expected to flourish over time.
As a personality, Fernandes is charming yet also outspoken. That is, perhaps, what United needed just as much as a new creator. One of the key reasons he was signed was because of his leadership skills, and already that is paying off. "If he is not happy with something, you know about it," a source told B/R.
The fans love him already, and his performances have brought fresh joy to the stands of Old Trafford. He has his own chant—and that moment when he hushed Pep Guardiola has become somewhat iconic.
This isn't the first time he has had such an impact.
At his last club, Sporting CP, players were disappointed to see him leave. Not only did Fernandes have great stats—63 goals and 52 assists from 137 matches—but he was motivating the side with his attitude.
Inside the dressing room, he could inspire players with his words, and when he stepped on to the pitch, he displayed a non-stop work ethic that made everyone around him strive for greater things. "He was infectious" is how one Portuguese source described him to Bleacher Report.
Only Liverpool have collected more points than United since Fernandes arrived in Manchester.
Their momentum has been temporarily halted by the break in play because of the coronavirus pandemic, but there is every reason to believe that the Fernandes evolution is only just beginning.
Listen to Dean on theB/R Football Rankspodcast. New episodes every Wednesday.Subscribe here.
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Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes Named EPL Player of the Month for February
Mar 16, 2020
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 8, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Fernandes signed for the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in January for an initial €55 million (£47 million).
The 25-year-old has made an instant impact at Old Trafford with three goals and four assists in nine appearances in all competitions.
He played three times in the Premier League for United in February.
After the Red Devils were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on his debut, he helped them record a 2-0 win at Chelsea and a 3-0 victory over Watford.
He set up Harry Maguire via a corner against the Blues, and he won and dispatched a penalty against the Hornets before assisting Mason Greenwood later in the game:
As Samuel Luckhurst of theManchester Evening Newsobserved, player of the month awards have been few and far between at Old Trafford since 2013:
Anthony Martial (September 2015), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (December 2016), Marcus Rashford (January 2019), and now Bruno Fernandes are the only #mufc players to have won the Premier League Player of the Month award in the post-Ferguson era.
Fernandes continued his excellent form into March, providing United's goal in their 1-1 draw at Everton and an assist via a free-kick for Anthony Martial in their 2-0 win over local rivals Manchester City.
His arrival has replaced Paul Pogba as the team's chief source of creativity. The Frenchman has played just eight times this season because of injury, most recently in December.
The midfielder has also offered much-needed firepower at a time with Marcus Rashford—United's top scorer this season with 19 goals—out injured.
Odion Ighalo Says He 'Never Imagined' He Would Play for Manchester United
Mar 16, 2020
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) talks to Manchester United's Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo after winning the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, central England on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Odion Ighalo has said he "never imagined" he would end up playing for Manchester United when he was a Red Devils supporter as a child.
The Nigerian joined United on loan from Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in January until the end of 2019-20.
It was a surprising, and for some underwhelming, move but necessary after Marcus Rashford was sidelined with a back injury in United's FA Cup replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January:
Erling Haaland to possibly Odion Ighalo on loan is one hell of a comedown for #MUFC during this transfer window.
The 30-year-old striker has made a positive impact at United, scoring four goals in three starts, including a stunner against LASK in last week's 5-0 UEFA Europa League victory:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020
Despite being a childhood United fan, Ighalo said he never believed he would actually end up playing for them, per beIN Sports(h/t Goal's James Westwood):
"When you say those kinds of things (about playing for United when he was a child), people say 'are you crazy?' because back then you don't even know what the future holds. First you just want to go outside the country to start playing—even for a small team, not even to talk of going to United.
"But my support for the team was great. I tried to see every game of United every weekend if possible. I still remember those memories. I never imagined it was going to turn out this way. Even when I played in the Premier League for Watford, I never thought this was going to happen."
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted after the match against LASK that the club could make Ighalo's loan deal permanent if he continues in his current vein of form:
"Let's see what we do" - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the possibility of making a permanent move for Odion Ighalo after the striker continued his excellent start to life at #MUFC with a stunning strike at LASK pic.twitter.com/ucaLcsJQMJ
As an orthodox No. 9, he is the type of player United have been missing since they sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan last summer.
Rashford and Anthony Martial have stepped up their goalscoring this term to make up for the absence of a traditional striker. But United are lacking the goals they need to compete for the Premier League title again.
After 29 games of the 2019-20 season, the Red Devils have scored 44 league goals and are on track to finish the campaign with a tally around 58.
That would be seven goals fewer than they managed last season, and 28 fewer than they scored in 2012-13, the last time they won the title.
Ighalo's best return in a Premier League season is the 15 he scored for Watford in 2015-16.
He is not going to solve United's goalscoring problems totally, and the Red Devils will likely still need to spend big on a front-line striker in the summer.
But Ighalo has already shown he can be a fantastic squad player who can make telling contributions both as a starter and a substitute.
Fred Can Be 'Perfect Midfield Player' at Manchester United, Says Owen Hargreaves
Mar 14, 2020
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Fred of Manchester United celebrates after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 08, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United anchor Owen Hargreaves has said Red Devils incumbent Fred can become "the perfect midfield player" if he can add more of an attacking edge to his game at Old Trafford.
United beat rivals Manchester City to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018, but he's largely struggled to justify his £52 million price tag after almost two years at the club.
Hargreaves, 39, told Premier League Productions (h/t Goal's Chris Burton) the January acquisition of Bruno Fernandes has given United the offensive outlet Fred was being forced to fill:
"He's a complete midfield player but if he can add goals to his game then he'll be the perfect midfield player. In possession he's very good, out of possession he's really aggressive and now the players around him are functioning which is a really good sign.
"I think because they paid £50 million for Fred and he’s Brazilian that people thought he was a No.10 but he isn't.
"He's not a goalscorer and he's not really creative but what he is a really good midfield player. He's two-footed and now we're seeing the player that was at Shakhtar, where in the Champions League he put in some brilliant performances against the best teams."
Fernandes' output of three goals and four assists in eight starts for United tells of the effect he's had in transforming their attack, allowing Fred more freedom in his roaming role.
Hargreaves—who made 39 appearances for United between 2007 and 2011—added: "He's energetic without the ball and now with [Nemanja] Matic as a sitter Fred can be box-to-box, before he was too high and sometimes too deep but now this is a midfield three [Matic, Fred, Fernandes] it's balanced, everyone feels comfortable."
The Athletic reported in October 2019 that former United manager Jose Mourinho only agreed to sign Fred because there were no better alternatives available at the time of his arrival.
TalkSport's Andy Goldstein suggested Fred, Fernandes and Paul Pogba—who has been out injured since Boxing Day—could make up the best midfield three in the Premier League:
"Bruno Fernandes, Fred, and Paul Pogba." 🔴
"Is that the best 3 midfielders in the #PL? As a group, I don't mean singly."
"Have Liverpool got a better 3 than them? Probably not."
United beat rivals Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford in early March when Fernandes assisted Anthony Martial for the opener to extend his prolific start since arriving from Sporting CP.
Fred also continued his streak of improving form at home to the Citizens, showing a balanced passing range in attack and defence, per Statman Dave:
Fred’s game by numbers vs. Man City:
50% of passes forwards 11 ball recoveries 2 interceptions 2 tackles won 2 take-ons 1 switch
The Brazil international assisted Juan Mata for United's third goal during Thursday's 5-0 hammering of LASK Linz in the UEFA Europa League last 16 (U.S. viewers only):
Scott McTominay is another force among Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ranks likely to feature prominently in the midfield plans, leaving some question as to where Pogba fits in when he returns to fitness.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 11 games and have shown more promise in almost every area of late—they've scored 29 and conceded just two goals during that almost pristine run.
Solskjaer is fortunate to have more options available thanks to the effect Fernandes has had on the squad, with Fred one of several players to benefit directly as a result.
