The Portugal playmaker began dragging the Red Devils up as soon as he stepped foot into Old Trafford – and is finally getting his just rewards
Manchester United were a winning machine under Sir Alex Ferguson, but came screeching to a halt after the legendary manager called time on his glorious 26-year reign at the helm following the 2012-23 campaign.
That season saw the Red Devils claim a record-extending 13th Premier League title, but they haven’t come close to winning it since, with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick all failing to follow in Ferguson’s footsteps.
United have struggled despite continuing to spend big money in the transfer market, with Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku among those to flop spectacularly. There have, though, been a few successes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani delivered plenty of goals after joining the club on free transfers, while Ander Herrera and Juan Mata endeared themselves to supporters with their effort levels and passion to make a difference.
Luke Shaw and Fred are loved for similar reasons, with both men still a part of the squad, but there is no one signing that has shone brighter for United than Bruno Fernandes over the past decade.
After a drawn-out transfer saga, the Portugal international was finally snapped up from Sporting CP in a £47 million January deal back in 2020, and he has proven to be worth every single penny.
Fernandes made an instant impact at Old Trafford, and is now the most important member of a squad that finally looks ready to return to the elite stage under Erik ten Hag.
But what makes the 28-year-old such a special player?
Goals and assists record
United had Fernandes to thank for inspiring their late turnaround in an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham on March 19, as he scored twice to help seal a 3-1 victory in front of a packed home crowd.
That brace took the midfielder’s tally of goals for the club to 60 across all competitions, and his inch-perfect pass for Marcel Sabitzer to open the scoring in the first leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla last week marked his 52nd assist.
Leadership qualities
From day one of his United career, Fernandes has taken it upon himself to drive the team forward, both in and out of possession.
He is often the most vocal player on the pitch for Ten Hag’s side, and he is motivated by a sense of responsibility to the younger players in United’s ranks.
It seems inevitable that Fernandes will be named permanent captain this summer, especially as Maguire is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and he has all the attributes to follow in the footsteps of the greats that have previously worn the armband for United.
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Responding to criticism
While Fernandes’ leadership qualities are unquestionable, there are times when he lets himself down and leaves himself open to fierce criticism.
The important thing is, he has the mental fortitude to keep doing most of his talking on the pitch. Fernandes’ latest stellar display saw him run the show in a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, which did more to silence judgemental observers such as Neville than words ever could.
Versatility
One of United’s main issues in recent years has been a lack of depth in midfield, which Ten Hag has tried to address in creative ways this term.
Fernandes is such a good footballer that he can’t be pinned down to just one position. He can make a decisive contribution from anywhere on the pitch, and is happy to bow to Ten Hag’s tactical knowledge.
If United finish the season in the top four and with more than one trophy in the bank, Fernandes will deserve more credit than anyone else in the squad. He’s the main man and is always prepared to make sacrifices for the good of the collective cause.
Will to win at all costs
Fernandes finally picked up his first piece of silverware as a United player after a 2-0 Carabao Cup final triumph over Newcastle at Wembley.
United sorely lacked that winning mentality before Fernandes’ arrival, as so many players folded under the weight of expectations and accepted mediocrity.
Fernandes has changed that dressing room dynamic almost single-handedly, and he won’t stop pushing until United are back where they belong: right at the very top of the game.
Source: goal.com
