Ian Wright Would Sign Man Utd’s Fernandes For Arsenal ‘Tomorrow’

As we inch closer to the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has picked the one Manchester United star he would sign ‘tomorrow’ for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side if he was in charge of the recruitment process.

In truth, Arteta’s men – who, at the time of writing, sit top of the table with 36 points from 16 matches – are so complete in terms of strength and depth and any injury is repaired relatively easily thanks to the array of talents at the Spanish tactician’s disposal.

Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera replacing defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the perfect example of Arsenal’s recruitment brilliance in years past – but Wright believes a poorly treated Old Trafford star would further improve their squad.

‘I’d take him tomorrow’ – Ian Wright names the Man Utd star he’d sign for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal

Under Ruben Amorim this season, United have plenty more attacking talent to envy: Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have joined Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively, while Benjamin Sesko is one of the most exciting centre-forwards in world football.

However, record-setting Bruno Fernandes remains the standout star in Wright’s eyes. The former striker widely criticized the club’s treatment of the Portuguese talisman – who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football – before admitting he would take him to Arsenal “tomorrow” if it was his choice.

“When you look at Bruno’s quotes, it’s like saying Man United are indecisive,” Wright told Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap. “So someone came in to replace Bruno Fernandes last summer… you stopped that. He didn’t want to go,” the striker-turned-pundit continued.

“They gave him a choice and said, ‘if you want to go, you can go’. What does that say to him? I’ll take him tomorrow,” said Arsenal hero Wright, who has become a beloved figure in the pundit world for his down-to-earth, consumer-friendly personality. Wright’s comments come after Fernandes shared his stance on an Old Trafford exit.

Speaking to Channel 11 while on international duty earlier this year, broadcast earlier this week, the midfielder said: “The club wanted me to leave, I have that in mind. I told the management, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision. I decided to stay, also for family reasons, but also because I really love the club.

Fernandes, casting doubt on his future at Old Trafford by claiming the Red Devils bosses were prepared to sell him for big money this summer, continued: “I’m always available, I always play, good or bad. I give everything. Then you see things around you, players who don’t appreciate the club as much and don’t defend their club as much… it makes you say.”

A closer look at Bruno Fernandes’ future at Man Utd

Not only would Wright’s former team Arsenal be interested in signing Fernandes if his signature were available this summer given his talent, but there will be no shortage of suitors for the former Sporting CP playmaker, who has racked up 28 goals and 85 appearances for Portugal.

BBC journalist Simon Stone, however, has confirmed that senior officials at Old Trafford have no plans to part ways with their loyal captain after almost six years of service. The report also claims they don’t want him to leave seeing him as a key cog in their long-term plans.

Fernandes was the subject of a £100million bid from Saudi side Al Hilal in the summer of 2025, but a year later, and they are unlikely to be able to pay the same fee for the versatile midfielder, who is capable of playing behind the striker but also in a two-man pivot in the engine room.

United’s beating heart since his arrival in January 2020, selling Fernandes would be a huge risk given he has 103 goals and 93 assists in 307 outings since his move from Portugal to England. You simply cannot trust the club to reinvest the money pocketed from its sale.

All statistics by Transfermarkt – correct as of 20/12/2025