Manchester United can take inspiration from Liverpool’s best example of business in the past 10 years.
Following a challenging beginning to the 2025/26 Premier League season, Manchester United has accumulated four points from four matches.
Ruben Amorim has faced criticism, and the pressure has intensified since the onset of the new season.
Significant concerns arise from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation and the inconsistency in United’s match victories. There is also apprehension that any aspirations for the season may fade prematurely, particularly if these unfavorable results persist.
The one position that United did not bolster during the summer transfer window was midfield, despite the acquisition of five new players, including Senne Lammens on deadline day. Ineos is anticipated to rectify this in January as they continue the reconstruction of United’s first team.
Man Utd can fund midfield signing by selling Bruno Fernandes
Ineos had to exert considerable effort to offload certain players during the summer, which further demonstrated that United faces challenges in selling players.
Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were both transferred to different clubs, while several others departed on loan.
Bruno Fernandes declined offers from Saudi Arabia to stay at United, yet the Portugal international does not seem to fit well into his new role within Amorim’s system.
The 31-year-old performs better when positioned further forward as one of the number 10s, as this positioning enables him to generate more chances while reducing his defensive duties.
Unless Amorim advances Fernandes further up the pitch, his fellow countryman will likely continue to face difficulties in the center of the field alongside a single partner. One could argue that this is a systemic problem, particularly when opposing teams find it straightforward to compete against United with three central midfielders.
Nevertheless, selling Fernandes would allow Ineos to profit from United’s top player. To many United supporters, this notion may seem absurd.
Fernandes is a player upon whom United can depend to deliver significant moments in matches. He has consistently done so each season since his transfer to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2021, which accounts for his four-time win of United’s Player of the Year award.
In 2018, Liverpool made a comparable sacrifice by transferring Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018. This decision ultimately proved to be one of the most advantageous transactions made by Liverpool in recent years, as it laid the groundwork for Jurgen Klopp’s success.
Liverpool reluctantly consented to part ways with Coutinho once he expressed that his aspiration was to join Barcelona. Klopp was content for the Brazilian to remain, but the £142 million transfer ultimately benefited them at Anfield.
The funds acquired from Coutinho enabled Liverpool to make substantial investments in the transfer market. Klopp resolved his defensive concerns by signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, followed by Alisson, who joined the Dutch defender from Roma a few months later.
United can take this as an example of shrewd business, should they decide to cash in on Fernandes midway through the season. He will have no shortage of offers from Saudi Arabia.
Fernandes one goal away from incredible milestone
Fernandes has been United’s most important player since joining the club.
Playing 25,065 minutes in a Red shirt to date, Fernandes has scored 99 goals across all competitions.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 295 | 19 | 86 |
That means Fernandes is one goal away from the 100 milestone, which means he is currently the 19th top scorer in United’s history.
Fernandes has scored more goals for United than Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Anthony Martial and Bryan Robson.
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