Man Utd already have trump card for next season for the first time in 17 years

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Manchester United are poised to have the world's finest attacking midfielder spearheading their campaign next season as Bruno Fernandes continues to dazzle on the global stage. Determining the greatest player across the entire sport is a tricky task, but there are certainly cases to be made for specific positions.

Take, for example, Lamine Yamal on the right wing, or Achraf Hakimi at right-back. Plenty of stars are dominating their respective roles, but few quite like Fernandes at present.

The Portuguese midfielder has arguably been shouldering United's burden since his £47million arrival in 2020. Speaking during Portugal's World Cup clash with Uzbekistan, Roy Keane declared Fernandes the best midfielder in the game.

He said: "The best player in the world in these positions, I'm talking about Bruno here. You give him that time and space, his decision making, the weight, the pace of the pass.

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"He is by far the best player in the world in that position. We've seen him do it for United constantly, there was no doubt he was going to pick the right pass. Ronaldo's made a good run and look."

Fernandes has claimed the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four occasions and made 327 appearances in United colours. He boasts 215 goal contributions, having recently shattered the record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign with 21.

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Fernandes may only have the FA Cup and Carabao Cup sitting in his domestic trophy collection for United, but he also possesses two Nations League crowns with Portugal and is working hard for his first World Cup. The 31-year-old is genuinely the finest player on the planet in his role, marking the first time United can stake such a claim since his international colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed United in 2009.

During Ronaldo's initial spell at Old Trafford, he secured the Ballon d'Or, three Premier League titles, one Champions League and numerous domestic honours. Back then, he was regarded as the most exciting emerging talent in his position and subsequently became one of football's all-time greats through his rivalry with Lionel Messi.

Plenty of exceptional players have worn the United shirt since, many of whom have also staked claims to being the finest in their respective positions. Wayne Rooney is one such example, having believed he was the world's best centre-forward at a certain stage.

Speaking in 2022, Rooney revealed he had been utterly convinced of his own brilliance at Euro 2004, brimming with confidence in his capabilities for England. He said: "It's not actually until you get there when you get to your base and you are thinking let's go and do it.

"I remember being excited around the hotel and being eager to get to play. I was an 18-year-old kid just enjoying myself. You need to keep yourself occupied because you've got the pressure of the country on your shoulders.

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"But I was there at 18, thinking to myself I was the best player in the world but there was no one better than me and I believe at that time I was. I wasn't looking and thinking, 'That's Zinedine Zidane.'

"I was thinking, 'We're going to beat you, we're too good for you.' It could have been Pele, George Best and Maradona on the other side – it wouldn't have mattered."

Rooney once named David de Gea the greatest shotstopper while the Spaniard was shining brightly for United in 2014. Discussing the goalkeeper following a 3-0 win over Liverpool, he said: "In my eyes, he is the best keeper in the world. The performances he has shown for us have been fantastic.

"He is not as tall as some other keepers but his spring and reach is really long. Sometimes in training you hit a shot and turn away thinking it has gone in and he just manages to get there. I am delighted for him."

Yet these two players faced rivals who shone equally brightly during their respective eras. Rooney consistently found himself ranked behind Messi and Ronaldo amongst the world's elite attackers, while Manuel Neuer arguably enjoyed a more decorated career than De Gea between the sticks.

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It appears United now possess an undisputed, world-class XI talent for the first time since Ronaldo departed 17 years ago. Fernandes may yet lift the World Cup with Portugal alongside the former United forward, though he has already demonstrated his immense value to the club across the past six years.

It is understood that Fernandes has informed the club and his team-mates he will stay at Old Trafford this summer, despite speculation linking him with a switch to the Saudi Pro League. He seriously considered joining Al-Hilal last year, with agent Miguel Pinho engaged in discussions over a potential £100million transfer.

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