Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Manchester United, recently emphasized the significance of Bruno Fernandes, indicating that it is essential for the club to retain the Portuguese international. Fernandes is rightly viewed as a key player at Old Trafford; however, it may be equally crucial for the club to ensure that another player, Amad Diallo, remains with the team.
In recent years, Manchester United has faced considerable challenges, and for fans, the prospect of the team without Fernandes is daunting. The captain has consistently delivered outstanding performances, often leading the team to victory despite the overall difficulties they have encountered.
This season, Amad has emerged as a vital contributor, particularly under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, who has afforded him greater opportunities to showcase his talents. Although the former Sunderland loanee faced limited playing time under Erik ten Hag, he was recognized as one of United’s standout performers prior to his injury.
Amad Diallo More Untouchable Than Fernandes
Fernandes will be 31 this year
Identifying another player at United as more ‘untouchable’ than Fernandes may initially appear to be an exaggeration. However, several considerations suggest that retaining Amad at the club could be of greater significance. Ratcliffe recently expressed admiration for Fernandes while contemplating the potential transformation of United, implying that the club might consider parting ways with certain players.
“We’ve got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future. There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer. We definitely need Bruno (Fernandes), he’s a fantastic footballer.”
Ratcliffe’s evaluation of Fernandes is undoubtedly reasonable; however, it is important to note that the Portuguese international will turn 31 later this year. In contrast, Amad is a player who is already making significant contributions at the highest level and has yet to realize his full potential. A persistent issue for United has been the acquisition of players at substantial costs, resulting in minimal returns upon their eventual sale.
While there is no suggestion to sell Fernandes, it is inevitable that he will reach a point in the coming years where his performance may begin to decline. In two, three, or four years, we could witness Amad, who has been characterized as ‘special’ by Phil Bardsley, emerging as one of the premier players in global football.
| Amad Diallo v Bruno Fernandes – 2024/2025 Premier League Stats Per 90 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Amad | Fernandes |
| Goals | 0.34 | 0.28 |
| Assists | 0.34 | 0.28 |
| Key Passes | 2.20 | 2.36 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 4.52 | 5.24 |
| Passes Into Penalty Area | 1.64 | 2.17 |
There is a compelling argument to be made that Amad holds a more untouchable status than Fernandes, particularly when considering their respective ages and potential. While Fernandes has been an exceptional contributor to the team and is expected to maintain that level of performance, the loss of a player with Amad’s potential would be a significant setback. Should United decide to sell Fernandes, it is improbable that they would witness his development into a higher caliber player elsewhere, whereas parting ways with Amad could lead to considerable regret in the future.
In the current configuration of United, both players are deemed essential; however, the significance of Amad should not be overlooked, even as Fernandes garners the majority of the accolades.
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