‘Fernandes is fourth piece in Man Utd puzzle’ – Solskjaer happy to have ‘risk-taker’ on board

The arrival of “risk-taker” Bruno Fernandes means that Manchester United have found “four decent pieces in the jigsaw” across the last two transfer windows, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Back in the summer of 2019, the Red Devils moved to bring Daniel James, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka onto their books.

Big money was invested in three players that ticked home-grown boxes and boast plenty of potential for the future, with £80 million ($103m) man Maguire made the most expensive defender in world football.

Further funds were made available in January, with a protracted winter saga eventually seeing Portugal international midfielder Fernandes acquired from Sporting for €55m (£47m/$60m).

The 25-year-old playmaker has slotted seamlessly into the fold at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer pleased to see a long-term plan coming together.

The United boss told Sky Sports of Fernandes: "You need courage, you need to be a risk-taker at Manchester United. The fans demand it, the club demands it, it is what we've been brought up on with Sir Alex.

"Bruno coming in has boosted the players but for the supporters as well, they can see that we are putting pieces in place.

"I think most of them understand that you can't put six or seven pieces in one go. We've had four decent pieces in the jigsaw."

Solskjaer added on the qualities which attracted him to Fernandes and made United so determined to secure his signature: "When you go and see them live you just get that feeling of the player.

"What impressed me most that day was his personality. We knew about his skills and qualities.

"If you follow him and watch him all the time [you notice] that he cares so much and wants to win, he had that fire in him. I thought, yep, that's the character we need.

"He won't let anyone down. Letting the team down is the same as letting himself down. He wants to win and he knows we [win] together, everyone plays an important part. He's been a positive boost."

Fernandes and United will be back in action on Thursday when they take in an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Derby – with that contest set to see them reunited with the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.