Bruno Fernandes has already given transfer approval as Man Utd brace for window | Football | Sport

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has already given the green light to a Ruben Amorim transfer target as the Red Devils eye a former player in the January transfer window. They are reportedly keen on bringing back Everton midfielder James Garner. Other potential targets include Nottingham Forest’s England international Elliot Anderson, who has been performing exceptionally well this season.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Garner is climbing up the priority list, with the player already receiving the seal of approval from captain Fernandes. Massive changes are expected in the United midfield over the next two transfer windows, with Casemiro, Fernandes, Toby Collyer, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo all rumoured to be on their way out. Despite future plans, United are currently short-staffed in midfield, with Lisandro Martinez, a centre-back, recently filling in off the bench against Aston Villa.

Injuries to Fernandes and Mainoo will likely prompt Amorim to delve into the January transfer market for reinforcements.

Garner, whose contract with Everton expires in the summer, could be a savvy signing for United, having spent four years at the club, albeit mostly on loan.

Everton are attempting to secure a new deal for Garner, who has been impressing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but it’s believed United may try to snap him up in January.

It has re-emerged that Fernandes holds James Garner in high regard and would likely welcome the Birkenhead-born player’s return to Old Trafford.

In an exclusive Q&A session on the United website back in 2021, Fernandes expressed his admiration for the club’s younger players, particularly Garner.

“I think we know some of them already,” Fernandes began. “Jimmy Garner, I think is a really good player, I really like him and the way he kicks the ball.

“He’s really aggressive off the ball too. [Anthony] Elanga was already playing with us and this pre-season he has been brilliant.

“He’s a nice kid, works hard and is really humble and I think he’s deserving of everything that’s happening to him. I see a brilliant future for him and Jimmy too, and also for all the other kids.”

Additionally, in a post to X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, when asked by a fan which academy player he was most excited to play alongside, Fernandes singled out Garner.

It remains to be seen if United will re-sign their former player next month, but it looks set to be a hectic window for the Red Devils in any case.