Pranav Nair
Manchester United could make use of Bruno Fernandes to sign Nuno Mendes
According to Portuguese publication O Jogo (h/t Express), Manchester United are seeking to trump Arsenal to Nuno Mendes.
Set to go up against the likes of Arsenal and AC Milan, Untied have a secret weapon they could use – Bruno Fernandes.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to bring in a defender who can challenge Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams for a starting spot at left-back.
Mendes is a promising young talent who has been making waves across Europe.
He joined Sporting Lisbon in 2015 for just £680. The 18-year-old is now regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe. The left-back has featured 17 times for the club’s U17 side, scoring one and setting up three more.
The youngster has since made nine senior appearances as a left wing-back under manager Ruben Amorim. Mendes has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has impressed.
United have a good relationship with Sporting, having brought a number of players from them over the years. The latest recruit was the impressive Fernandes.
While the United star did not play a competitive fixture alongside Mendes, the pair were together during last summer’s pre-season tour of America. The duo was a part of the squad which drew 2-2 with Liverpool at the Yankee Stadium.
According to the report, Mendes has five years to go on his United deal and has a £40.5m release clause. It goes on to add that Sporting could agree on a lower fee but United are yet to step up their interest.
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A phone call with Cristiano Ronaldo helped Fernandes make the switch to Old Trafford. Eight months on, it remains to be seen if the United star can do the same to Mendes.
If it happens Mendes will join the likes of Ronaldo, Nani, and Fernandes who have all made the step up from Sporting to United.
