Man Utd fans love Special Bru, but Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and James prove Solskjaer’s transfer approach not a one-off

THERE have been times during this rollercoaster season when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have been forgiven for drowning his sorrows.

But it was by reaching for a different kind of Special Bru that the Manchester United manager transformed his team’s fortunes.

Because Bruno Fernandes has certainly put some fizz back into the football at Old Trafford. And United fans are drinking it in.

Before the Portuguese international joined United from Sporting Lisbon in a £60million mid-season deal, he had a reputation for being a midfield goal machine.

That’s easier in the Liga NOS – far less competitive surroundings than the Premier League – but, incredibly, he’s been EVEN BETTER in England than in his home country.

Fernandes’ hallmark has been making late runs into the box to get on the end of cutbacks from forward players.

But there’s much more to his game than scoring for himself. He’s an effective playmaker too – among the top-15 per-game chance creators.

Not only that, he is also proving to be one of the toughest tacklers in any Premier League midfield.

Most of the top ball-winners dedicate themselves to that task without directly creating openings for others. But Fernandes is such an outstanding all-rounder he can do the lot.

Solskjaer has achieved a masterstroke in persuading Fernandes to make Old Trafford his home.

It’s even more impressive that after a January transfer he’s got him settling so quickly he’s hit the ground running at a Premier League pace.

But Fernandes is not the only Solskjaer signing who’s been Aar-on the money.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been one of the top-three defensive ball-winners since joining United for £50m in the summer.

Not that it will surprise United fans who have grown used to his unflustered approach to one-on-Wans.

And while Wan-Bissaka is one of the absolute best at stopping other ball carriers, he is no slouch at running with it himself, proving effective at beating his man and playing it in for a shooting chance.

Although the 22-year-old is just outside the top 10 for these attacking attributes, that has a lot to do with how Solskjaer’s side has a more conservative style than the likes of Chelsea or Liverpool.

For context, the other top defensive full-back playing in a side with a similar amount of possession to United’s – Everton’s Djibril Sidibe – ranks 25th for dribbles and chances created, a long way down on Wan-Bissaka.

Playing just in front of him on the right-wing is another summer signing who’s been a Solskjaer regular, Dan James.

Although the young Welsh winger is no Ryan Giggs – yet – he’s showing a lot of promise.

It’s hardly surprising the top midfielders for goal contributions with ten starts or more are all at Manchester City – they’re the Premier League’s top scorers.

But the fact James has been involved in one in five of all of United’s goals, despite not starting five of their games, is pretty impressive.

The other big-name signing of Solskjaer’s reign as United boss has been Harry Maguire. And for all the stick the £80m England man has had at times, he definitely has his strengths.

Because when it comes to cutting the ball out, Maguire’s a magnet.

And not only that, Maguire’s the squire with the ball at his feet too. In terms of the chances he’s directly created, he’s also right up there.

So what Solskjaer has in Maguire is another all-round performer both in the defensive and attacking sense.

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Although results haven’t quite gone his way – with injuries to key players like Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba a big factor – Solskjaer has shown he has an outstanding eye for a player.

Under Jose Mourinho, the man whose shoes Solskjaer stepped into, a £300m net spend was largely wasted.

But it is looking very much like Treble winner Ole’s Gunnar have the champagne corks popping at United again.