BRUNO FERNANDES - HOW HE HAS TRANSFORMED UNITED

Bruno Fernandes

How Has The Portuguese Transformed United

by Alex Dudley

When Manchester United announced the signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon over 12 months ago, not many could have foreseen the impact that he would have on a team that had struggled for so long at both ends of the field. Indeed, United were signing a player with proven quality, as players don’t typically score 48 goals in 83 games across one and a half seasons without being tremendously talented at what they do.

Still, there was scepticism when United agreed to pay the £67.5 million asking price with two days left remaining of the January transfer window in 2020. Some claimed was a panic buy after a poor run of results, while others continued to trust the process and believe that what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was doing was right by the club. Those that were in the latter category have been proven emphatically right over the past year or so.

Immediate Impression On United Fans didn’t have to wait long to see what Fernandes could bring to the table, as he was at the forefront of everything positive that United did in a 0-0 draw against Wolves at the beginning of February. It would be another three weeks before he broke his United duck, but that first goal was just the first of many. His first against Watford was quickly followed up with an equaliser at Everton before he played a pivotal role in the Manchester derby win against City before the break in play was imposed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

After just a few months, it was clear that United hadn’t just signed a player that was going to perform consistently at the highest level, but one that could be built around for years to come. His impression on teammates was almost as overpowering as his individual performances, as the levels of players around him reached heights that not many could have foreseen. His work-rate needed to be matched by those around him, as there was a feeling that he set the bar, just as Roy Keane did throughout his legendary time at Old Trafford.

Taking United To The Next Level If United fans weren’t excited about the future when Fernandes first walked through the door, then they would have at the end of the 2019-20 season. The Portuguese, and his influence on the team, led the Red Devils from seventh up to third, as well as two semi‑final appearances in the Europa League and FA Cup. Fernandes’ eight Premier League goals between February and July saw him named as the club’s player of the season, and the expectancy only rose ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Like any season for United, this latest campaign has had its highs and its lows, but it’s clear as day to see that something is growing at United. The figurehead behind that is Fernandes. He is the talisman that everything revolves around, every move in the attacking third has the Portuguese’s prints on, and his impression is undeniable. Fernandes was awarded a recordbreaking fourth, and final Player of the Month award in December, just days before United topped the league table at the latest point of the season since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Winning Mentality There is no denying that Fernandes’ will to win a game is greater than that of any other player in the United team at present, he will run for every ball and be the vocal presence on the pitch that the club needs at important periods. His importance to the club as Solskjaer looks to build a title-winning side has been evident throughout the campaign, through his words and actions. After United’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City earlier in the campaign, he was optimistic about the club’s fortunes moving forward as they were so deflated after conceding a late equaliser, and reminded teammates that this is not a feeling that they should forget about. He is the captain that United need a lot of the time, and while he isn’t the one wearing the armband, he is the one that leads by example.

United’s run to the top of the league was littered with contributions from the midfielder, as he set up goals in wins against Sheffield United and Fulham, while also scoring a famous late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round. He has turned into the man for the big occasion, and players look to him for creativity or a moment of magic to break down the opposing defence. It isn’t any great surprise that his ability to always rise to the action has already seen his impression linked to the one that Eric Cantona made when he arrived at Old Trafford in 1992.

Fernandes Pivotal For United’s Title Aspirations United fans know that the title isn’t going to be coming back to Old Trafford this season, but the building blocks of the next great side are there. Fernandes is at the base of those plans, and if he can continue his excellent form, then there is no guessing what this side can achieve. The 26-year-old has averaged a goal involvement every 70.4 minutes since arriving at United, which is only bettered by Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. That is the calibre of player that United have at their disposal in Fernandes, and filling in the missing pieces of the jigsaw are all that is required by the club over the summer transfer window.

Something changed at United when the Portuguese star walked through the door; there was once again the never-say-die attitude that epitomised every title-winning side that has shaped the history of this great club. His mentality is everything that is required from a United player, as he gives everything for the shirt, and doesn’t stop running until his legs can no longer carry him. That is the level that we have come to know under Fernandes, and if his teammates can match his desire, quality and temperament over the coming years, then the comparisons to King Eric may be closer than many of us could have ever believed.