Bruno Fernandes the catalyst as Manchester United hit top gear again

Marcus Rashford’s transformation, finding a rightful heir to Roy Keane’s midfield throne in Casemiro, and having a fit Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence are three of the most common reasons Manchester United supporters feel they have turned the corner.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring in the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on February 4, 2023. Getty

But, as has been the case since he walked through the door three years ago, United’s fine form can also largely be attributed to one, key catalyst for change – when Bruno Fernandes hits top gear, so do the Old Trafford giants.

Fernandes carried United for much of his early career in English football. Hitting the ground running after joining three years ago, the 28-year-old inspired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team to a second-placed finish in his first full campaign in Manchester in 2020-21.

His second season promised so much, with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, only for United to slump to a Premier League record low points total, leaving supporters wondering if Fernandes had lost his Midas touch.

With Ronaldo out of the way, and a sufficient calibre of teammate to lend a hand, Fernandes is relishing being the player United turn to in their hour of need again, beating his chest to the rhythm of their renaissance.

The lack of universal eulogy does not tell a true representation of just what Fernandes has been doing this season. He is very much in the form of his life, it is just this time around, he isn’t having to do it on his own.

“If we’re talking about statistics, in my first year it was amazing,” Fernandes said last week.

“Probably now, I’m not getting as many goals and assists but I’m playing much better and I am more involved in the game than I was before.”

While the Portuguese no longer tops the United scoring charts for the season, he is still playing a key role and has registered goals or assists in each of his last six Premier League games, the first time he has done so in his Old Trafford career.

source: thenationalnews.com