In football, some players seem to age like a fine wine, and Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United is one of them.
Since he joined Manchester United in 2020, Fernandes has produced outstanding levels of consistency, although this campaign could be his best yet.
Should United’s ‘Portuguese magnifico’ continue his rich vein of form, he will undoubtedly be in the conversation for Premier League Player of the Season – and with seven goals and 14 assists in 26 appearances, he is certainly going about it the right way.
What makes it even more impressive is he started the season in a deeper role. Now in his favoured position behind the striker, he is looking to lead United to a Champions League finish.
Fernandes integral to upturn in form
Fernandes has, unsurprisingly, been key to helping the Reds clinch six wins from eight games under the stewardship of Michael Carrick.
Fernandes’ goal involvement, worth 23 Premier League points this season, underlines the scale of his influence at United. In an era when the club has often languished amid rebuilding phases and uncertainty, Fernandes has been a constant source of productivity, be that goals, assists, or chance creation.
History places him in notable company. Eric Cantona’s 26-point contribution in 1993-94 helped shape the modern United, a footballer whose charisma and decisiveness altered the club’s trajectory.
Robin van Persie’s extraordinary 2012-13 campaign delivered 38 points’ worth of goal involvements and fired Sir Alex Ferguson to a final Premier League title.
Fernandes’ tally sits just beneath those landmark seasons, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007-08 influence.
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Fernandes is irreplaceable
There is a feeling within the United fan base that sustained success may not be too far away. Having all arrived in the summer, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have set the benchmark, both in ability and the characteristics they possess. If the hierarchy can recruit to that standard again in the summer, it will only spell trouble for the rest of the league.
If United are serious about returning to the summit in time for “Project 28”, then Fernandes must remain central to that ambition.
His numbers speak for themselves, yet they are only part of the picture. Fernandes embodies the standards United require, demanding the ball in difficult moments, driving attacks and taking the game by the scruff of the neck – Crystal Palace a recent case in point.
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An underrated part of Fernandes’ game is his relentless work rate. He tracks runners and presses with real hunger. He is the tone setter, the architect, the catalyst.
He is also, in many ways, a coach on the pitch. Instructions are constant. He wants to improve those around him. Fernandes is not without frustration or the occasional flailing of arms, but fans forgive it because he is the difference-maker. Stop Fernandes and, more often than not, you stop United.
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