Manchester United eye 20-year-old starlet as their ‘long-term’ Bruno Fernandes replacement

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a 20-year-old starlet as their long-term replacement for club captain Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes has been a transformative figure at Manchester United since his arrival in January 2020. Known for his vision, creativity, and leadership, he quickly became the team’s focal point in attack, particularly now under Erik ten Hag.

Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder, Fernandes excels at linking play, providing key passes, and scoring crucial goals. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game, combined with a high work rate and willingness to press opponents, has made him indispensable to United’s midfield.

Read More: Sekou Kone sends message to Man United fan, how you can follow potential debut

Fernandes is also a set-piece specialist, often taking free kicks, corners, and penalties, which adds further value to his contributions.

Off the pitch, Fernandes’ leadership qualities have become evident, eventually leading to his appointment as the team’s captain. His competitive nature, winning mentality, and commitment to excellence have endeared him to fans and teammates alike.

Under his guidance, United has shown improvement in crucial matches, with Bruno often being the difference-maker. Though the team has had ups and downs, Fernandes consistently drives their attacking play, ensuring he remains one of the most influential figures at the club.

However, at the age of 30, Fernandes is currently at the peak of his career, and United are said to be searching for an understudy to develop across the next few years to replace the Portuguese international whenever the time comes.

According to Fussball.News, Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh has earned admiration from United, as well as a host of other Premier League clubs, for his excellent performances in Austria.

The report states that United view the 20-year-old as a “long-term” replacement for Fernandes and that should he continue his fine form, an approach is “entirely possible.”

Gloukh scored a hat trick in his first game of the season and provided an assist in each of his subsequent two appearances, showing that he is continuing to prove to European clubs that he is worth considering.

With Christian Eriksen expected to leave the club when his contract expires in June 2025, signing Gloukh may be a perfect way to fill a gap in the squad while continuing to add further attacking talent.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Thursday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.