Manchester United could set their sights on Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer as the Brazilian shares an excellent connection with Bruno Fernandes.
According to a long report compiled by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United could heed the advice of Bruno Fernandes this summer as they look to strengthen their attacking options. The Portuguese international is growing his influence at the club, both on and off the pitch, and one player he could suggest is Raphinha of Leeds United.
The two played at Sporting Lisbon together for a year before they eventually parted ways, with the winger ending up joining Rennes in the summer of 2019, just six months before Fernandes joined Manchester United.
Speaking to Record, Fernandes had opened up about the departure of Raphinha when he was still at Sporting, citing their chemistry on the pitch. The Portuguese international also raved about his former teammate’s work ethic and hardworking nature that had left a massive void at Sporting at the time.
“Raphinha, I miss Raphinha. He’s a player with whom I had different chemistry from the others. He understood me at a glance. He knew, according to the movement of my body, where I was going to put the ball to him. I also miss him because he brought joy to the locker room. He’s also a responsible and hardworking person.”, Fernandes was quoted as saying by Top Mercato.
Fast forward to 2021, Raphinha has been one of the rising stars in the Premier League this season with his blistering performances at Leeds United. In just 17 league matches, the Brazilian has been involved in eight goals, helping his team become one of the deadliest attacking sides in the league.
A potential reunion between Fernandes and Raphinha at Manchester United could certainly raise some eyebrows. The duo clearly shares excellent chemistry which was evident during the 2018/19 campaign when Sporting CP won the Portuguese League Cup as well as the Super Cup.
Even aside from his telepathic combination play with Fernandes, the Leeds United winger can offer the dynamism and creativity that could further chance Manchester United’s offensive prowess. He could, in fact, appear as an ideal alternative for Jadon Sancho, whose exorbitant price-tag continues to elude him from a switch to Old Trafford.
Unfortunately, it is a huge ask for the Red Devils to convince their arch-rivals Leeds United to offload their star player this summer. Not to mention, the Yorkshire outfit will have every reason to slap an outrageous asking price and with the player still having a long-term contract at Elland Road, Manchester United may have to shift their attention to other alternatives.
