It has been clear for a long time that Manchester United need to strengthen their midfield. Now, an in-form midfielder that plays for a club with whom United have done some noteworthy business before has expressed an interest in joining this month. It's looking good, right?

Bruno Fernandes is keen to move to Old Trafford, so this deal could well happen in the coming weeks. But is he the man to solve United's

Speculative shooter with consistent return

A look at Fernandes' raw numbers hints at why he has attracted so much interest over the past couple of years. A central or attacking midfielder who both creates and scores goals with remarkable consistency and seems to have hit his peak at 25 years of age, he is an attractive proposition for Europe's biggest clubs, once the sizeable hurdle of his transfer fee is surmounted.

Playing in an inconsistent Sporting Lisbon team that sits fourth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, 16 points off top spot, Fernandes is the hub of just about everything that happens in the offensive half of the pitch.

Both this season and last, Fernandes has averaged a goal or assist per league game, with 33 in 33 appearances in 2018/19 (20 goals and 13 assists), and 15 in 15 appearances in 2019/20 (eight goals and seven assists). Add in the five goals and three assists he put together in five Europa League group stage games this season, including two goals and two assists in the 4-0 annihilation of PSV in November - a win that secured Sporting's place in the knockout rounds - and you clearly have a player who has mastered the level he is currently playing at.