Manchester United's new look midfield: is Bruno Fernandes a positive force or a problem to fix?

Ten Hag’s preference was for De Jong to come in, carry the ball from deep areas and dictate play. But a trio of the Barcelona midfielder, Eriksen and Fernandes always looked lacking in terms of ball-winning qualities. It looked a bit light for the Premier League - in danger of being overrun.

Ten Hag has lost none of his enthusiasm over the potential signing of De Jong - and United are prepared to go back in for the Netherlands International if the opportunity arises in future windows.

Putting aside the need for a squad, rather than an XI, it still raises questions over precisely where United are lacking - and who would be the fall guy.

Fernandes?

Saturday’s 1-0 win against Southampton was a microcosm of what the Portugal international brings to the team - both positively and and negatively.

He is a match-winner - be it through his goals, such as his second half strike at St Mary’s, or his relentless determination to make things happen in the final third.

He is a difference maker - a threat that defenders have to be alive to throughout the 90 minutes.

It is fair to say Fernandes prolonged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United reign by a good 12 months - so crucial were his goals from January 2020 to May 21.

He was the spark United desperately lacked. He took them to new levels - and in a team that so often relied on winning matches in clutch moments, he was perfect for Solskjaer’s counter-attacking system.

The decision to hand him a new contract in April remains a curious one, considering his dramatic loss of form last season - but he is one of a very small number of United signings over the past nine years who could be considered an unequivocal success.

Yet, if Ten Hag’s midfield is missing “something,” is Fernandes the component that can make way?

Does a De Jong-type replace Eriksen, who would then be moved forward to take up a No10 role, which is possibly where he is best suited?

He is a better user of the ball than Fernandes - more capable of unlocking deep-lying defences with a threaded pass in tight spaces.

Fernandes’ propensity to give the ball away does seem at odds with Ten Hag’s possession-based ethos, with players happy to take the ball in congested areas.

The amount of occasions Fernandes relinquishes possession was believed to be among the reasons United waited so long to sign him - having originally expressed their interest the previous March before he eventually arrived.

For long periods against Southampton, he was frustrating.

He completed 67 percent of his passes, compared to Eriksen’s 76 and Scott McTominay’s 78.

Against Liverpool it was 64 percent - but as high as 81 and 86 against Brighton and Brentford, two games when United dominated possession in defeat, but were completely ineffective.

But statistics only tell part of the story. Fernandes invariably plays higher-risk football to try to unlock defences.

As a match-winner, he takes chances that don’t always come off. For every three passes that are intercepted or shots that go wayward - another will create a goal-scoring opportunity or a goal.

In a team that looks desperately light at centre forward, his goals could be as crucial to Ten Hag as they were to Solskjaer.

Wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo has looked off the pace so far this season.

Anthony Martial has already suffered two injuries in a campaign that is only four games old.

And Marcus Rashford still does not look comfortable when asked to play at the point of attack.

Take Ronaldo out of the equation and Fernandes is United’s biggest goal threat.

It is hard to imagine Eriksen matching his best numbers if moved into a No10 role.

So while Fernandes may be an imperfect fit for a Ten Hag midfield, Southampton, alone, was evidence of how vital he remains to United.

Meanwhile, the addition of Casemiro should elevate Ten Hag’s side to new levels as a ball-winner unlike any they have had in recent memory.

The Brazilian is also a fine user of the ball - complimenting Luka Modric and Toni Kroos admirably at Real Madrid.

His partnership with Eriksen should give United the midfield control they lacked under Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.

In addition, Fernandes adds goals and game-changing qualities - as well as the leadership he has demonstrated since taking the armband off Harry Maguire.

As a midfield three, it looks formidable - even if Ten Hag does still crave for the one that got away in De Jong.