Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has already singled out Everton's James Garner as a player he is keen to partner in midfield, as the Red Devils weigh up a surprise January move for their former academy star.
Midfield Rebuild a Priority for United
Rebuilding the centre of the park is a top priority for Manchester United this summer, with players like Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton on their radar. However, with those deals unlikely in January, the club is exploring more immediate, affordable options to address current issues.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, 24-year-old Everton midfielder James Garner has emerged as a concrete target. The situation is compelling for United: Garner's contract at Goodison Park has just six months remaining. While Everton hope to secure him to a new deal, United view him as a potential cut-price acquisition this month before making larger investments in the summer.
Fernandes's Past Praise for Garner
The potential reunion is made more intriguing by past comments from United's skipper. Back in April 2022, Bruno Fernandes conducted a Twitter Q&A where he was asked: 'Who’s the player from the academy that you really look forward to play with one day?'
Fernandes's firm and singular response was: 'James Garner'. This public endorsement came just months before Garner completed a permanent £10 million move to Everton in the summer of 2022, following successful loan spells at Nottingham Forest.
Garner, who made his senior United debut aged 17 against Crystal Palace in February 2019, managed only seven total appearances for the club before his departure.
Broader Midfield Context at Old Trafford
The interest in Garner comes amid a period of significant flux in United's midfield. Veteran Casemiro is now in the final six months of his contract, suggesting major surgery will be required in that area at season's end.
Furthermore, the futures of other key players are under scrutiny. Fernandes himself faced questions after criticising the club following his decision to reject a lucrative summer move to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, young talent Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly growing disillusioned after failing to start a single Premier League game this season.
Current injuries have forced manager Ruben Amorim to get creative, deploying Lisandro Martinez in midfield against Aston Villa and turning to academy products Tyler and Jack Fletcher to bolster his options.
A move for James Garner would represent a pragmatic and nostalgic piece of business for Manchester United, driven not only by necessity and value but also by the clear admiration of their on-field leader, Bruno Fernandes.
