Manchester United has been one of the most puzzling teams to watch this season. After an incredible season the previous year, they have apparently collapsed this year, with catastrophic Premier League results and an almost certain Champions League elimination.
Even yet, they are only three points behind Manchester City in fourth position following their comfortable victory against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
In the coming months, the Red Devils may even find themselves ahead of their rowdy neighbours if Erik ten Hag can keep his squad performing at the same level as they did against the Blues.
If United signs Florian Wirtz, the really exciting midfielder they have been connected to, that ambition could be simpler to accomplish. That transfer would free up Bruno Fernandes to play out wide more regularly.
Florian Wirtz, a Manchester United transfer
Florian Wirtz is being watched “closely” by Manchester United, according to a Sky Sports Germany story from last month. Although the team and player have not yet been contacted, the young Bayer Leverkusen star is still much sought after.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are rumoured to be extremely interested in the potential midfield player, which will be one of the biggest challenges for the three-time European champions to overcome in order to complete this transaction.
Furthermore, Sky Sports reports that Leverkusen value their player at above €120m, or about £103m, so any transfer will probably cost an arm and a leg.
But with eight goal involvements in just 12 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen this season, the “elite talent,” as football talent scout Jacek Kulig put it, looks like he might be worth the enormous cost.
Moreover, Fernandes could be able to step in on the right when he gets to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag might move Bruno to the wing in order to make room for Wirtz.
The wisdom of starting the team’s captain and best player out of position to make room for a fresh, youthful addition may be questioned by some.
Nonetheless, Wirtz’s present play and future potential would support him playing in the offensive midfield position if United were to sign him. Fernandes can also be quite successful when playing on the wing.
In the previous season, the Portuguese international made seven appearances for both club and country on the right flank, where he contributed four assists and three goals, demonstrating his ability to produce strong results even when he isn’t beginning in the middle.
“From the side, he’s a very good presser; he understands the moment when to close down when to put an opponent into trouble,” Ten Hag said, demonstrating his ability to handle the defensive responsibilities of a modern-day winger.
“He knows when to track back and close passing lines, close opponents, even if our press gets beat he tracks back, he can play in between lines and then get behind lines.”
Additionally, United is barely loaded in that area with Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Facundo Pellistri all appearing to be deceptive at the moment despite the fact that they have combined for only two goals this season.
In the end, U23 scout Antonio Mango predicted that the arrival of the “magic” German would probably force Fernandes out to the wing, but it would still be advantageous for the squad to have both of them on the pitch.
