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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Nathan Bliss

Manchester United's 2019/20 predicted if Bruno Fernandes, Sean Longstaff and Harry Maguire signed this summer

Manchester United have been very active in this summer's transfer window already, bringing in both Daniel James and Aaron-Wan Bissaka so far - but they're not done yet.

United have got a few key targets in mind for the final few weeks of the window, with Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff thought to be at the top of Ole Gunnar Solskjear's shopping list.

A lot of work is to be done before fans can even dream of United signing all three players, but what if they did? And what kind of impact would they have on United's season in 2019/20?

We used Football Manager 2019 to try and predict the future.

Manchester United 2019/20 season predicted with Fernandes, Longstaff and Maguire

To set up the simulation, we inputted the future transfers of Maguire (£80million), Fernandes (£60million) and Longstaff (£40million) that saw them move to Old Trafford in July 2019.

(Football Manager 2019)

Using a fan made editor file, we also updated all the latest transfers, manager changes, promotions and relegations, to make it as realistic as possible, including the likes of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

So how much difference would the three signings make to United's performance in the 2019/20 season?

Here's what happened....

Harry Maguire's 2019/20 season for Manchester United

(Football Manager 2019)

Maguire had an excellent season for United in 2019/20, making 58 appearances in all competitions, scoring and assisting twice, earning a fantastic average match rating of 7.24.

Immediately, Maguire established himself as a key player for United, forming a great partnership with Victor Lindelof.

In terms of stats, Maguire made the fifth-highest number of key tackles in the 2019/20 Premier League season, averaging 4.53 tackles per game.

(Football Manager 2019)

An excellent signing.

Bruno Fernandes' 2019/20 season for Manchester United

(Football Manager 2019)

Fernandes took a bit more time to settle in, but still produced some good numbers, in what was a promising first season.

The Portugal international made 48 appearances over the course of the campaign, making 34 starts, scoring seven and assisting seven.

Not bad at all.

Sean Longstaff's 2019/20 season for Manchester United

(Football Manager 2019)

Despite Longstaff only having one full season of Premier League football, the 21-year-old make a real impact at Old Trafford.

The midfielder made 49 appearances in all competitions, including 33 starts, managing an impressive 11 assists and finding the net once.

Get all the latest FIFA, Football Manager and other gaming news here.

Manchester United's team performance in 2019/20

Clean sheets

(Football Manager 2019)

Goals conceded

(Football Manager 2019)

With Maguire and Wan-Bissaka in the first XI, United's defensive record saw an incredible improvement, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side conceded just 26 goals in 38 league games, also earning 18 clean sheets.

Goals scored

(Football Manager 2019)

But, despite the arrival of Fernandes and Longstaff, United struggled somewhat in front of goal, scoring less than any other top six side, scoring 57 goals in 38 games.

Manchester United's best XI in 2019/20

(Football Manager 2019)

This was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's best XI throughout the season, with Fernandes and Maguire featuring, but Longstaff just misses out, with Paul Pogba included instead.

Manchester United's 2018/19 league position: 6th

Manchester United's 2019/20 league position: 2nd

(Football Manager 2019)

Manchester United's 2018/19 league points: 66

Manchester United's 2019/20 league points: 76

Magure, Fernandes and Longstaff made a real difference to United's league standing, as they finished 2nd in the Premier League, earning an impressive 76 points over the course of the season, as Champions League football returned to Old Trafford.

Manchester United's cup competitions record in 2019

(Football Manager 2019)

But, United's success didn't end there, as Solskjaer's side won the Europa League too, beating Arsenal on penalties, with Bruno Fernandes scoring the opening spot-kick.

Football Manager 2019 suggests that if United did manage to sign all three of their key targets this summer, it could have a massive impact on their performance next season, with a return to the Champions League and a major trophy win.

Let's see what happens over the next few weeks....

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