Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has recently been at the center of a transfer saga after Saudi club Al-Hilal attempted to sign him. Despite a lucrative offer, Fernandes decided to stay after discussions with Portugal coach Ruben Amorim and his family.
During a press conference ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semi-final against Germany, Fernandes was asked about the transfer rumors before shifting focus to the upcoming match. When questioned about the best German player, Fernandes praised Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who will miss the game due to injury as he prepares for the Club World Cup.
Fernandes called Musiala one of the best attacking midfielders in the world and mentioned his conversations with Joshua Zirkzee, a former Bayern teammate and close friend of Musiala. “He’s probably, for me, one of the best number 10s in the world,” Fernandes said. “He’s a very young, talented player with so much to offer football. Luckily for us, he’s not playing in this game.”
Musiala joined Bayern Munich’s academy in 2019 after leaving Chelsea’s youth system. Interestingly, Manchester United had the chance to bring Musiala for a trial when he was 15. United’s academy staff were impressed by him, but concerns over regulations and Musiala’s national allegiance—between England and Germany—led the club to pass on the opportunity.
Looking back, it is clear that United missed out on a highly talented player, one of many young prospects the club has let slip through its fingers over the years. Though hindsight is easy, the missed chance remains a source of regret for the club.
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