Manchester United need to start seriously thinking about how they are going to replace Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese superstar has often carried United during tough moments aplenty over the years, providing the sort of elite quality that has rarely been present elsewhere in the squad.

Fernandes is now 32 years of age and his current contract will expire at the end of this season, though there is an option to extend his deal for a further year. The veteran attacking midfielder was at his best last season, and while we haven't seen that form from him so far this season, it's certainly not out of the question that he finds that form again.

There will already be talk of Fernandes' powers diminishing, but it's too easy to say that when a 32-year-old players has had a tough few games. But the reality is that Fernandes will need to be replaced in the next year or two, and given his importance to the club, it's something United are going to have to get right.

In fact, it's worth going as far as saying that the replacement of Fernandes might be the most important investment United will make over the span of a decade, and that means they are going to have to pay big to get it right.

Step forth Alex Baena

There may be no better replacement for Fernandes in world football than Atletico Madrid's World Cup-winning attacking midfielder Alex Baena. There are few players who can instinctually play the perfectly-weighted through ball like Fernandes, perhaps no one, but Baena is the next best thing in that category.

His passing ability is extraordinary, and his set-piece deliveries and shots are just as good. He played a key role in Spain's World Cup success, even playing out wide to cover for Nico WIlliams' injury, and he is just as comfortable there, as well as being able to play in his natural attacking midfield role, of course, and in a more box-to-box midfield role. He has largely played out wide for Atleti, but he was much more productive in that attacking midfield role for Villarreal, and that's where he is best deployed.

Baena's LaLiga stats from last season

• Appearances: 27
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 3
• Pass success: 81%
• Key passesL 1.7 per game
• Crosses: 1.3 per game

United got a close look at Baena on Tuesday night when he split the Red Devils' back line in the Champions League and laid the ball on a plate for Pablo Barrios to score the opener.

He's chippy and a little naughty, often stirring up trouble on the pitch with his chirping, and that would help him adapt to the Premier League. It would likely cost upwards of £70million to sign the 25-year-old, and Atleti are not going to want to sell, so it could take more, but United need to pay what it takes to get their Fernandes replacement spot on.