If this is to be the end of Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, he’s going out with a flourish.

The 31-year-old – whose future remains uncertain heading into this summer – has now chalked up six assists across his last five games in league and cup, back to his masterful best again in this number ten role.

Not that the Portugal star had dipped previously, although he is leaving Ruben Amorim looking rather silly, following the desire to persist with the 3-4-2-1 and with Fernandes in a deeper midfield berth.

When this team needs a moment of magic, the skipper steps up, be it his delightful, inventive assist in stoppage-time against Fulham, his whipped delivery for Harry Maguire at Anfield, or his thumping free-kick to level things up against Bournemouth.

Like it has been for much of the past six years, this is a master at work – but for how much longer?

Why Man Utd need to give Fernandes a new contract

Let’s not get away from it, there might have been those at Old Trafford, both among the crowd and at boardroom level, who were open to cashing in on Fernandes over the summer, with the playmaker coming close to a potential £100m switch to Al Hilal.

That was undoubtedly an enticing sum for a player now into his 30s, with there also having been that nagging question mark over whether he was actually suited to Amorim’s system, having been relocated by his compatriot.

Thankfully, Amorim was actually crucial in keeping Fernandes on board by all accounts, and rightly so, with the United captain proving so influential again this season, with 12 Premier League assists already.

Such is his usual ever-presence, there’s also been that nagging intrigue over what this side could look like without him in it.

Well, his recent three-game spell on the sidelines showcased that, with the Red Devils notably held by both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United, looking devoid of ideas in both 1-1 stalemates.

This is Fernandes’ team, and despite the extensive summer investment, so it should remain, with the INEOS regime needing to overlook the finances and hand the midfield a new contract extension.

Perhaps, the player himself will push to leave regardless, with just 18 months left on his deal, but if he’s made to feel loved and appreciated, why would he want to go anywhere else?

That said, if last summer is any indication, INEOS won’t be afraid to act ruthlessly should they so wish, leaving the new permanent coach with the task of replacing him.

Man Utd may already have wildcard Fernandes replacement

The obvious and most direct replacement for Fernandes in the current squad might well be Mason Mount, although the 27-year-old’s future should be under threat, after three injury-hit seasons at Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha also boasts that Fernandes-esque, maverick, match-winning quality, albeit while perhaps lacking that real control as a central player, with much of his best work to date coming off the left flank under both Amorim and Michael Carrick.

A wildcard shout to fill the captain’s void, provided at least two new holding midfielders are signed, could well be young Kobbie Mainoo, with the 20-year-old showing glimpses of why he can thrive in a more advanced berth.

Indeed, Carrick previously suggested that he views the England international as more of an “attacker” than a deep-lying midfielder, with the academy graduate possessing that ability to run a game in Fernandes fashion.

There’s no question that Mainoo needs to be more creative, having not created a single ‘big chance’ amid his limited minutes this season, although he certainly has the tools to do so.

Against Fulham, for instance, United’s future “£100m+ footballer” – as hailed by writer Alex Turk – almost picked out the advancing Bryan Mbeumo with a stunning, Fernandes-style ball over the top, a mere glimpse of what he is capable of in that department.

Previously in the win over Arsenal too, Mainoo showcased why him and Fernandes are almost on a different wavelength to their colleagues, combining beautifully in the build-up to Cunha’s late stunner.

Not blessed with speed or real mobility, like Fernandes, what Mainoo does have is real control, losing the ball just 4.3 times per game on average this season.

Equally too, in an era dominated by Fernandes magic, arguably the bigger clutch moments have come from Mainoo’s boot, be it his last-gasp curler at Molineux, his FA Cup final clincher or last season’s crucial strike in the Lyon thriller.

Throw into the mix the youngster’s delightful effort against Liverpool in 2023/24, and he’s building up quite the catalogue, further evidence of why unleashing him in that number ten role or more advanced midfield role could prove a masterstroke.

For so long, this team has been Fernandes’ team, but if an exit is to occur, Mainoo should well be the next figure to build around for the long-term.

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