Bruno Fernandes made his 150th start for Manchester United against Leicester City on Sunday.
The Portuguese midfielder made his debut back in February 2020, and during this three-year period he played four more matches than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe, including goalkeepers, and 11 more than any other outfielder.
The 28-year-old has missed only one game day since arriving at Old Trafford due to illness.
In total, he played 162 matches for United in all competitions.
Having failed to live up to his expectations last season under Ole Gunnar Sulscher and Ralf Rangnik, Fernandes has regained his status as an unchanged and important member of the starting lineup this season.
Eric ten Hag decided to place him on the right flank after the World Cup. Although it was a bit forced due to Anthony’s injury and Jaydon Sancho’s sabbatical, the decision nevertheless turned out to be inspired.
Fernandes himself assured that this decision was made in light of the fact that he showed responsibility at the training ground:
“It’s important for the coaching staff to know that I can play in different positions and do different things, and that the coach trusts me to play on the right wing, eight, left or wherever he needs me to play. ,” he said.
Moreover, since Sancho was reintroduced to the team, the Englishman has mostly been in the center of the front line in the role of the tenth number favored by Fernandez.
We also saw how Wout Weghorst used the target number ten and number nine.
It can be assumed that Ten Haga’s desire to turn United into a team of Total football contributes to such a spread of positions.
In fact, the Dutch manager is trying to create a dynamic, unpredictable, multifaceted system and players within this system.
However, Fernandes’ ability to pass shows that he is suitable for playing on the right.
He made nine key assists against Leicester — more than any other player in a single Premier League match this season.
His willingness to defend himself is also commendable and softens the blow inflicted by the loss of the steadfast and hardworking Anthony.
Fernandes won five ground duels and made four takeaways to contribute to United’s efforts to nullify Barcelona last Thursday.
Playing at number ten, in his usual position, Fernandes constantly noticeably shifts to the left side of the field.
But, having become the de facto captain of the team, and the club captain Harry Maguire became the fifth central defender, Fernandes accepted the requirement to set an example in recent weeks, as well as the discipline and flexibility demonstrated not only by playing in an unusual position, but also, superiority in this helps the 28-year-old to achieve this status of leader.
Fernandes has made it his priority from the day he joined the team to help make United a successful club again. Ahead of the League Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest last month, he said:
“With this club, I have never [achieved] my main goal — to be here at Manchester United and win trophies with the club.
“This is the first thing we can win and hopefully we can win the semi-final, reach the final and win the first trophy.”
And therein lies the answer to the initial question: maybe this is the perfect time for Fernandes to start lifting trophies when Manchester United wears the captain’s armband and thrives as a multifunctional creative jewel in the coveted Ten Haga crown.
Source: www.somagnews.com
