How do Man United Replace Bruno Fernandes? | OneFootball

How do Man United replace Bruno Fernandes? In short, you can’t. Imagine a couple of years ago reading that Bruno Fernandes could be leaving to join the Saudi Pro League. You’d either think that his form had fallen off a cliff or that you were having a nightmare. And while there’s no confirmation yet of a move for the Portuguese Magnifico, the possibility of Bruno Fernandes leaving Manchester United to join Al-Hilal for the Club World Cup this summer is very real.

For context, at the time of publishing this article, he hasn’t made a final decision, and the club haven’t accepted any formal offer. Still, the whispers are becoming shouts, and if Al-Hilal do land their man, United would be left with one hell of a hole to fill. How do Man United replace Bruno Fernandes? In all honesty, you can’t replace Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes has been the creative heartbeat of Man United for years, and even in Man United’s worst season in modern history, he remains the one dependable outlet. But interestingly, under Ruben Amorim, there’s an argument that the system doesn’t quite get the best out of him, and maybe, just maybe, selling him while at the peak of his powers could benefit Man United much more in the long term than keeping him around for the short.

What Do You Actually Replace?

Let’s be clear. Bruno isn’t just any midfielder. In the 2024/25 season, he ranked in the 96.4th percentile for key passes, 97.5th for progressive passes, and 94.5th for forward passes. That’s not just “very good”. That’s elite, like top 5 players in Europe elite. The only reason he doesn’t get credited with the accolades is because he is playing for a terrible team.

Even in earlier seasons, he was hitting similar heights. His 99.8th percentile key pass rating in 2022/23 underlines how consistently creative he’s been, even while the rest of the squad have gone through multiple identity crises, and managers.

So you’re not just replacing numbers. You’re replacing a playstyle, a mentality, and a player who, for better or worse, demanded the ball and tried to make something happen with it every time.

Amorim’s Structure: Does Bruno Even Fit?

Under Amorim, Fernandes played both as a 10 and deeper in the pivot. But neither seemed to unlock him. God, I hate the idea of unlocking a midfielder; it gives me bad memories. In the pivot, he was tasked with more defensive responsibilities, which dulled his forward instincts. As a 10, he often looked too detached from the build-up, sometimes left isolated in a rigid shape.

In short, the system didn’t suit his chaos. Bruno loves playing on instinct, pulling strings, taking risks, and playing off teammates fluidly. Amorim’s more structured positional play asks for discipline and zone occupation. I think most Man United fans will agree that Bruno’s best for United came under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, while we played in transition and he scored a boatload of goals playing almost as a second striker.

That’s why if Bruno does leave, it’s not necessarily a disaster. Like, it is BAD; don’t get me wrong here, it is really bad in the short term. But United would need to be absolutely certain about what they’re replacing and how.

Matheus Cunha: The Multi-Phase Forward Option

If Amorim goes with two attacking midfielders behind a striker, Matheus Cunha could be a smart tactical fit, especially on that inside-left channel. But he might offer even more than that.

His 2024/25 numbers as a forward at Wolves are seriously impressive:

That kind of output shows he’s not just a pressing runner or wide facilitator; he contributes at an elite level in multiple areas, from shot creation to ball progression.

He doesn’t offer the sheer volume of passing Bruno does, but if United want to move to a more balanced, fluid front five, Cunha’s blend of end product, pressing and link play could make him ideal. Especially for a coach like Amorim, who values intelligent occupation of space and mobility over individualistic flair.

At £62.5m, it’s a big outlay. But he’s already proven in England, and these numbers suggest he’s got another gear if placed in a better-structured attack. There are issues about his temperament; yeah, he has gotten a few red cards, and his ego seems to get the better of him at times, but he is a player. There is no doubting that.

Teun Koopmeiners – Back to His Atalanta Best?

Teun Koopmeiners is probably the closest stylistic match to Bruno, at least based on his 2021/22 Atalanta numbers. That year, he was in the 95th percentile for forward passes, 89.7th for key passes, and 95th for progressive passes.

It looked like the profile of a player ready to step up to the elite level.

But after his move to Juventus, things changed. In 2024/25, he slumped to the 23.3rd percentile for progressive passes and just the 57.7th for key passes. A massive drop-off. He has been poor for Juventus, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were tempted to cash in on him after a poor season due to both form and fitness.

Was it Tudor’s system? Was it form? Either way, there’s a risk in signing a player coming off a bad season. But if Juventus are willing to negotiate and the fee lands somewhere under £30m, United could be looking at a smart value signing if they believe they can revive his old self. It could also let them invest more of the Saudi money elsewhere in the squad, like in a striker signing like Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres.

Orkun Kökçü – Amorim’s Familiar Option

Benfica’s Orkun Kökçü is the name that might excite the most, especially if you’re looking for someone who can mirror Bruno’s best qualities but with a smoother fit in Amorim’s setup.

In 2024/25, Kökçü hit the 96.3rd percentile for forward passes, the 90.7th percentile for key passes, and the 96.8th for progressive passes. Statistically, he’s right up there with the elite creators. He also offers more control in possession, often opting for combination play over risk-heavy actions.

And Amorim knows him well. From his time managing in Portugal, the former Sporting boss will have seen first-hand how Kökçü dictated games for Feyenoord and Benfica.

Liverpool are reportedly circling, but if United move quickly, this could be the most seamless tactical fit. Would he move to United? God knows.

Matheus Nunes – A Tactical Pivot?

Here’s the curveball. Rather than replace Bruno’s creativity directly, what if United reshaped their midfield entirely?

That brings us to Matheus Nunes, a player who thrived under Amorim at Sporting. His ball-carrying stats in 2021/22 were genuinely outrageous: 98.7th percentile for progressive carries and above-average duelling and defensive metrics.

He wasn’t flashy with key passes, but he didn’t need to be. In a midfield with Manuel Ugarte behind him, Nunes was the engine, breaking lines with his dribbling and allowing others to create further forward.

He’s struggled at Manchester City, but in a more structured setup with fewer stars and more defined roles, he could flourish again. A midfield duo of Ugarte and Nunes wouldn’t replace Bruno’s flair, but it could provide a platform for the rest of the team to shine.

So… What Next?

Right now, Bruno Fernandes hasn’t left. He might stay; who knows? He might even sign a new deal. But the signs are there that a move, if not now, then soon, is on the cards. Manchester United can’t afford to be reactive. If they wait until he’s gone to start thinking about replacements, they risk another post-legend identity crisis. This explains why the signing of Cunha has already been confirmed.

Whether it’s a like-for-like creative in Kökçü, a reimagined playmaker like Koopmeiners, or a full system shift with Nunes, the club needs a plan. Because if, or when, Bruno does go, it won’t just be about filling his boots. It’ll be about finally building a team that isn’t reliant on them.

Can you replace Bruno Fernandes? It will be a hard task for both Ruben Amorim and Man United, and in short, I don’t think you can.