The 2024/25 campaign has been one to forget for Manchester United, with the Red Devils constantly falling well below the levels expected by the fanbase.
Ruben Amorim joined the club in November, trying to provide an upturn in results after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, but so far has done so to no avail, still sitting closer to the drop zone than the top four.
His side have already exited the Carabao Cup, with their 15th placed standing in the Premier League all but ruling out automatic qualification for a European spot ahead of next season.
However, they’re still in with a chance of winning the FA Cup and the Europa League, with the new manager having the opportunity to end the disappointing season on a positive note.
If he is to do so, he may be reliant on one player who’s often been the man to dig the side out of trouble since his big-money move to Old Trafford a handful of years ago.
Bruno Fernandes’ time at Man Utd
Attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes joined United back in January 2020, making himself an integral part of the first-team setup after his move which totalled £68m.
The Portuguese international has nearly racked up 300 appearances for the Red Devils, even taking the reins as captain, showcasing how pivotal he’s been to the club despite their lack of success.
He’s registered double figures in combined goals and assists in every season he’s spent as a player in the North West, with his best season undoubtedly being in 2020/21 – notching 28 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.
The 30-year-old has often been the creative spark under Amorim, registering 21 combined goal contributions throughout the current season, undoubtedly the shining light through what has been a year to forget for supporters.
However, despite his impressive form at United, he’s now valued lower than one player who was prematurely offloaded under the former management team.
The former United star who’s now worth more than Bruno
United’s academy has been highly influential in recent years, often producing a catalogue of high-quality talent that have made the transition into first-team stars.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are just two examples within Amorim’s current side who have developed through the youth setup before seamlessly making the jump into the professional game.
Anthony Elanga was another player who appeared to make the jump, breaking through into the first team under Ralph Rangnick, registering four goals and four assists, including a crucial strike against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
However, he was sold in the summer of 2023 by Ten Hag, joining Nottingham Forest for just £15m – a move that would transform his career in the Premier League, with United undoubtedly ruing his departure a few years on.
The Swedish international has registered 25 combined goals and assists over the last two seasons, playing a huge role in the Reds’ unexpected push for a Champions League spot this season.
Elanga endured a run that saw him provide a goal contribution in six consecutive matches in the league, before notching a hat-trick of assists in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion at the City Ground.
He’s subsequently matched or bettered Bruno in various key areas throughout 2024/25, further showcasing how much he’s developed since departing the Red Devils.
Games played
25
24
Goals & assists
11
11
Progressive carries
3.6
2.3
Carries into final third
1.7
0.4
Shot-on-target accuracy
43%
24%
Take-ons completed
0.9
0.7
Aerials won
1
0.8
At the age of just 22, Elanga, who’s previously been dubbed “phenomenal” by journalist Zach Lowy, still has bags of time to develop further, but he’s already seen a steep upturn in his value after Forest rejected a £50m bid for his services from Newcastle United in the summer.
His subsequent value is higher than that of current star Fernandes who’s only valued at £45.5m by Transfermarkt despite his own impressive form at Old Trafford.
Given the numbers produced by the attacker, coupled with the lack of attacking threat currently at Amorim’s disposal, it certainly was a mistake for the hierarchy to approve of Ten Hag’s decision to sell the forward.
However, United’s loss is Forest’s gain, with Elanga potentially able to provide the goods over the next couple of months to help complete what would be a fairytale season for the Reds – adding insult to injury given the Red Devils’ current standing.
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