“The last transfer was not really fruitful for us because we mostly got flops. The best thing to do is to get good players during the next transfer window. The obvious best choice is a young lad that’s killing it in the Bundesliga and he would replace our struggling Bruno Fernandes perfectly. So move on from Bruno and sign him instead” – This is according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville as he advises Manchester United to move on from Bruno Fernandes by signing a £120m-rated player, who is considered a future Ballon d’Or winner.

Manchester United’s 2024 summer transfer window was a notable one for the club. Under their newly established football hierarchy, the Red Devils secured six major signings in an effort to improve on their eighth-place finish under Erik ten Hag the previous season. However, things haven’t gone as smoothly as hoped.

Continuing a trend under Ten Hag, United brought in two of his former Ajax players, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. They also signed De Ligt’s Netherlands teammate, Joshua Zirkzee, along with Leny Yoro from Lille and Manuel Ugarte from PSG.

With Erik ten Hag’s future uncertain, Manchester United’s plans for the 2025 summer transfer window are still unclear. However, the club has been linked with a player who could significantly enhance their squad’s quality.

United are reportedly targeting Bayern Munich and Germany international midfielder Jamal Musiala. The 21-year-old is considered one of the best number 10s in world football and may depart the Allianz Arena within the next 18 months.

Jamal Musiala’s contract with Bayern Munich expires in 2026, and there are no indications of a renewal. According to a report from *The Mirror* via *The Express*, the German international rejected Bayern’s latest contract offer.

As a result, Manchester United, along with rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Real Madrid, are all interested in signing the young midfielder. The report from September suggests his transfer could exceed £120m, setting a record for these clubs.

Musiala, at just 21, has already proven his immense quality, having made 171 appearances for Bayern, scoring 46 goals and providing 34 assists since his breakout season in 2020/21.

Jamal Musiala has had an excellent start to the season, scoring three goals and providing two assists across all competitions, with three goals and one assist coming in the Bundesliga. If Manchester United were to secure his signing, they could potentially have an ideal replacement for Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes, United’s captain, has struggled to find form this season, failing to score in 11 matches. While he has recorded four assists, half of those came in the 7-0 Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley, with only one assist registered in the Premier League.

The form of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is raising concerns among fans, and finding a potential replacement in the coming seasons could be on the club’s radar. At 30 years old and struggling to hit top form, Fernandes might soon need a successor, and Jamal Musiala could be the ideal candidate.

While Fernandes is known for his high-volume passing in the final third, frequently attempting expansive through balls and clever passes from various areas, Musiala brings a different skill set. The German international is an exceptional dribbler, effortlessly moving past defenders and thriving in short, quick combination play and fluid rotations.

That said, it’s possible to compare the two players’ performances this season using underlying statistics provided by Squawka.

Per 90 minutes, Musiala has created more chances, with 1.7, and completed more take-ons, averaging 3.3, compared to Fernandes. The Portuguese star has created just one chance and completed only one take-on per game.

**Musiala vs Fernandes 2024/25 attacking stats (per 90 minutes)**

| Stat | Musiala | Fernandes |
|—————————|———|———–|
| Shots on target | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| Chances created | 1.7 | 1 |
| Through balls | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Forward passes | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| Take-ons completed | 3.3 | 1 |
| Take-on success rate | 51.85% | 60% |
| Fouls won | 3.1 | 1 |

Musiala, praised by Julian Nagelsmann as having “the potential to win the Ballon d’Or,” may be the ideal replacement for Fernandes. With his contract expiring in under two years, United must act quickly to secure him ahead of their rivals.

There’s no denying that the Bayern sensation is an exceptional talent. He’s a creative powerhouse, a brilliant dribbler, and far from reaching his peak. Securing him would be an outstanding move for United, making a bold statement to their competitors.