Bruno Fernandes has proven why Manchester United only have one choice this summer

Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, you can count the number of successful signings that Manchester United have made on just one hand.

United's success rate in the transfer market has been limited over the past decade, with millions of pounds being wasted on failed signings. Bruno Fernandes, however, is not one of them.

The Portuguese international joined United in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon for £67.6million and has plundered 79 goals in 230 appearances. On reflection, there is no doubting that United got their money's worth.

READ MORE: Raphael Varane announces United exit and shares Ineos message

READ MORE: Lisandro Martinez poised for United return vs Newcastle

He made an immediate impact after joining the club, settling into English football with ease. He scored eight goals and registered seven assists in just 14 Premier League appearances before the end of the Covid-hit 2019/20 campaign.

His first full season at Old Trafford saw him score 28 times and rack up 17 assists, helping United finish second in the Premier League and reach the Europa League final. Over that period, he also grew in stature as an individual and became one of United's most inspirational and motivational leaders.

Last summer, having sported the armband for the majority of the 2022/23 campaign, Fernandes was installed as United's captain on a permanent basis by Erik ten Hag. That extra weight of pressure has not impacted his form this season, even if he has not banked as much credit as he should have.

With just three games left to play, Fernandes, who is being targeted by Bayern Munich and Inter Milan ahead of this summer's transfer window, has reached double figures for both goals and assists in all competitions, scoring 15 and creating 11. No other United player comes close to matching his tally of 26 direct goal contributions this term.

The Portuguese international has missed each of United's last two matches with a wrist problem and they failed to score in either of them, registering a paltry four shots on target. In total, the Reds have been without Fernandes on three occasions in the Premier League this term and have failed to score a single goal in his absence, registering five shots on target in total.

Furthermore, Fernandes has created 20 big chances in the Premier League this season - a tally that can only be bettered by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Opta defines a big chance as being 'a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score, usually in a one on one scenario or from very close range when the ball has a clear path to goal and there is low to moderate pressure on the shooter. Penalties are always considered big chances.

When it comes to big chances created in the Premier League this season, United, in 36 matches, have created just 58. Without Fernandes' individual tally of 20, United would find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League's big chances created table, one short of Sheffield United's tally of 39.

Newcastle United and Chelsea, who are currently competing with United for a sixth-placed finish, for context, have created 87 and 85 respectively. That is a damning insight into just how reliant United are on Fernandes to pull the strings and make things happen.

In addition, Fernandes' tally of 10 league goals this term have directly contributed to United earning 10 points. Without those, they would currently be level on points with 14th-placed Fulham.

Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, although United produced a spirited performance, saw them create very little to test David Raya, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Ten Hag's side sorely missed Fernandes' creativity in the engine room, with only Alejandro Garnacho looking as though he would be capable of making something happen.

Fernandes' importance to this United team cannot be understated. They would, as the statistics highlight, be in a far worse position without him.

He is also a key figure that is prepared to play through the pain barrier and do whatever is necessary to help his team. It should not be forgotten that he operated as a centre-back for a portion of United's historic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup in March, all whilst struggling to move. Nevertheless, he soldiered on, battled and helped United get over the line.

Every player has a price, and United are aware they need to be mindful of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules [PSR] this summer. However, they should only consider the possibility of selling their talisman if a jaw-dropping offer is put on the table.

They should be aiming to keep hold of him at all costs.