Gary Lineker has explained a key moment from Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United that was an example of ‘pure football intelligence’.
Manchester United look to be in a healthy position under Michael Carrick after claiming four straight wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.
Those victories have pushed the Reds firmly into the top-four race, helped by the advantage of playing only once a week following their absence from European competition.
The squad appears to have responded positively to the change in management. Previously, there were frequent doubts over whether the players were suited to Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach.
Now, the team looks aligned and cohesive, with Carrick successfully bringing the best out of several of United’s key performers.
Lineker: Key moment from Fernandes was ‘pure football intelligence’
Bruno Fernandes is among the United players to be thriving under Carrick after returning to his natural no.10 role in the last four games.
The Portuguese midfielder registered assists against City, Arsenal and Fulham before netting the second goal in the 2-0 win versus Spurs.
It was an unconventional finish from the club captain, who guided the ball into the bottom corner with his shin, and Gary Lineker believes that it was a moment of ‘pure football intelligence’ from the United star.
“I loved his finish, you know,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast. “Because what he did there, he knew the ball was going to be bouncing.
“He though, ‘right, I’ve got to get my knee over the ball and just let it hit me, wherever it hits me, whatever part of the shin’, and he definitely meant that.
“I think he said in the interview on Match of the Day after the game that he did [mean] it and that was absolutely pure football intelligence.
Fernandes’ growing relationships at United
Fernandes’ form this season has been extremely solid, even when he was playing in the deeper role under Amorim previously.
With six goals and 12 assists in the Premier League so far, the Portuguese star is pushing himself into conversations for the Player of the Year award.
Read more: Owen Hargreaves explains what’s ‘very different’ about Man Utd after City and Arsenal wins
The most important thing is that he seems to be building relationships with all of United’s new attackers. He is linking up well with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, while also finding great passes to Benjamin Šeško when he is playing.
That is exactly what United needed when these players signed for the club and Fernandes himself will only benefit further as those relationships grow further in the coming weeks and months.
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