Manchester United don’t have a great track record in the transfer market over the last five years but Bruno Fernandes’ arrival in 2020 stands out like a sore thumb.
The 28-year-old has developed into one of the best players in the world in his position and under Erik ten Hag, he has become the vice-captain, a role that borders on full-time captaincy.
His impact in 2020 was immediate, taking United to a third-place finish within half a season when finishing inside the Champions League places looked unlikely.
It could have all been very different, however. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Fernandes has revealed that he nearly joined Tottenham Hotspur before signing for United.
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“Yeah,” Fernandes said when asked if his proposed 2019 move to Tottenham was close. “It was long, yeah, until the deadline.
“It was a long period but obviously, at that moment it was a really good option for me. I wanted to go to the Premier League. The manager, Pochettino at the time, was the one who wants me there.
“It was a good offer from them. Sporting tried their best to keep me and they sell two other players because they want to keep me on the team and I have to understand that.
Since making his debut in February 2020, Fernandes has made 134 appearances for the Reds, scoring 51 goals in the process.
