Patrice Evra explains why Bruno Fernandes plays better without Cristiano Ronaldo

Patrice Evra ‘is not surprised’ with Bruno Fernandes shining for Manchester United and has pinned his new-found form down to one reason.

Fernandes, 28, has been one of United’s best players since he signed for the club almost three years ago. The midfielder has registered 38 goals and 26 assists in the Premier League for The Reds.

Under Erik ten Hag, the Portuguese international needed to adapt his game. He is *slightly* more cautious in possession but is still providing quality in the final third. He’s also consistently one of the hardest workers on the team.

There was always a looming question mark over the form of Fernandes when playing with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford. His goal and assist numbers tanked when alongside his fellow countryman and was often trying to force possession to United’s former no.7.

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Evra, who played with Ronaldo during his first United stint, believes that Fernandes excels without the 37-year-old striker.

“Bruno Fernandes has to be the main man and you can feel it now Ronaldo is not here anymore and you can feel that he is the boss again,” the ex-United defender told Prime Sport after United’s win over Nottingham Forest. “He is the one taking the free-kicks, the one taking the corner kicks and I am sorry, that is what Bruno Fernandes needs.

“I remember when I talked with him after a game and he didn’t want to say that, because he would be like ‘I can’t play with every player’, but you can’t have two chefs like they say in French, and that’s what happened so I am not surprised about the performance of Bruno Fernandes.”