What happened to Bruno Fernandes at Sampdoria amid FIFA transfer dispute

Manchester United look a team transformed since January, largely thanks to the spectacular impact of Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese star has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side a creative outlet so often missing at United in recent years, and the presence of a dedicated defence-splitting creative midfielder means they are no longer over-reliant on counter attacks to kill off stubborn opponents.

So far, Fernandes looks worth every penny of the initial £47m United paid Sporting CP for him during the last transfer window.

Italian club Sampdoria believe they are entitled to a slice of that fee, which could rise to as much as £67.6m.

The Serie A side claim a 10% sell on-clause was part of the deal when they sold Fernandes to Sporting, meaning they are owed roughly £4m. The matter is now being investigated by FIFA. United and the player are not involved.

Fernandes, who had come through the ranks at Boavista in Portugal, initially moved to Sampdoria from Udinese on loan in the summer of 2016 with a view to a permanent deal.

His £8.5m move to Sporting was confirmed a year later.

Video clips of his time at Sampdoria show the skill-set United fans become familiar with over the past three months.

Fernandes drifts from central midfield into wide areas, finds plenty of time on the ball and pops up in space just behind the opposition frontline.

He netted five times in 35 appearances for Sampdoria, but the variety of goals reveals just how versatile a midfielder he is.

In his first, Fernandes ghosts into acres space on the right and rifles the ball under the opposition keeper from 20 yards out.

His next is an absolute rocket from range on the half-volley, a goal of pure brilliance.

The third is a two-yard tap-in, but his fourth is also a classic.

A Sampdoria forward pulls the ball back from the goal-line to find Fernandes rushing into the opposition six-yard box, having escaped his marker, to smash it home from close range.

For his fifth, Fernandes lashes home in spectacular fashion under pressure.

What's remarkable about each goal is the space Fernandes creates for himself. Even before his 23rd birthday, Fernandes football intelligence is obvious, his ability to find room on a pitch uncanny.

Just two assists to add to his five goals do not do justice to Fernandes influence at Sampdoria that season.

An otherwise average team finished in 10th in Serie A, and Colombian striker Luis Muriel came under fire for failing to finish the many chances Fernandes made for him.

Clearly, it wasn't raw numbers that attracted the attention of Sporting, but his potential as a goal scorer and creator-in-chief. And the €100m buyout clause they quickly slapped on their new recruit was a massive statement of their faith in his huge potential.

Sporting's belief that Fernandes could become a perfect attacking midfielder was duly repaid, and he easily hit double figures for goals and assists in each of his three seasons with them, including the third, despite leaving in January.

As for Sampdoria, they'd be unlikely to forget such a talent. And as they seek recompense for his big money move to United, their fans will be remembering his time at the club again.