This is an era dominated by finances, sporting directors, managers and set pieces – thank God Manchester Unitedof Bruno Fernandez.

So much of modern football is now formulaic and predetermined, but Fernandes has bucked that trend, regularly conjuring moments of individualistic brilliance to lead United to victory.

On Sunday, for example, the 31-year-old showed courage and skill to send Calvin Bassey into the dummy in injury time and then sent on Benjamin Cesco to finish off a vital 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

Up to 12 now Premier League The Portuguese prodigy’s assist tally this season is another reminder of why he is not only the best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson, but one of United’s best signings of the 21st century.

It remains to be seen what happens next should he leave in the near future, although there is now competition for the title of the Red Devils’ new talisman.

Which signing is better between Cunha and Mbemo?

The 2024/25 season, despite all the hardships, was still another special season for Fernandes. The former Sporting CP player scored and assisted 38 times in all competitions, helping Manchester United reach the Europa League final.

Sometimes it feels like he does it all alone, although with the summer transfers, that’s no longer the case. Matthews Cunha and Brian Mbemo Changed the dynamic.

The respective effects of these £71m and £62.5m The deal can be seen in the fact that United have equaled last season’s tally of 44 top-flight goals, with Cunha and Mbemo scoring six and eight goals respectively in the league alone.

For his part, the former Brentford man has made his mark as a big target on the biggest stages, having already scored against Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.

Mbemo is a striker who scored 20 goals for the Bees last season. He is a killer in the final third. This type of striker has been rare at Manchester United in recent years.

As for Cunha, although he is not as powerful, there is a feeling that the Brazilian’s ceiling may be higher and he has the ability to win games almost in the style of Fernandez.

Against Manchester City, for example, his introduction resulted in Patrick Dolgu’s second goal, while also setting up Mason Mount’s disallowed third. Against the Gunners, the 26-year-old once again came on as a substitute and scored from distance in commanding fashion.

He was here, there, everywhere and despite a lackluster start he began to flourish, scoring again in gorgeous style against Fulham.

Thankfully, both have cemented themselves as starring roles this season, although the tag of United’s best signing since Fernandes may lie elsewhere.

£19m-rated starlet is United’s best signing since Fernandes

It is no coincidence that Mbeumo’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations coincides with United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick, with the Cameroon international missing from the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.

In that 2-1 defeat, caretaker boss Darren Fletcher was also forced to attack without Amad, the Ivorian who also shone for his country over the festive period.

The 23-year-old may no longer be among the goalscorers since returning to Old Trafford last month, but he is so efficient that he terrorized Fulham’s backline last time out.

He displays mesmerizing form throughout the game, dodging and weaving past defenders while displaying a real relentless desire to carve out the opposition penalty area, notably averaging 1.6 key passes per game in the Premier League this season and creating five “super chances”.

His impact in 2025/26 – which saw him produce just four goals – follows a stellar 2024/25 campaign that saw Amad finish just behind Fernandes in goals and assists, cementing his status as a key figure under Ruben Amorim.

Amad’s flexibility as a full-back, No. 10 or winger will only enhance his status and he is arguably the best addition since Fernandes’ arrival, especially when valued at just £19m.

That October 2020 deal did feel steep at the time given his status as an unknown teenager, though gradual progress has come when January 2021 finally arrived and the undersized talent is now the No. 1 option on the roster.

In fact, United won just one of six games during his absence in December and January, and he also missed the 3-1 away defeat at Brentford, arguably the Red Devils’ lowest point in the Premier League this season.

Amad, a relatively cheap player who rose from obscurity and has undoubtedly surpassed the likes of Cunha and Mbemo as the best player since Fernandes, has made a lasting impact over the past 18 months.

This is a perfect example of being patient with young talent, and hopefully this is just the beginning of what Amad is doing at Dream Theater.

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