Bruno Fernandes: Captain Fantastic hits top gear to join Europe’s standout stars | OneFootball

What a season Bruno Fernandes is enjoying at Manchester United. Indeed, this is shaping up to be his finest campaign since arriving at M16.

Switching roles

Despite a shift in roles, the Portuguese magnifico has remained the heartbeat of United’s play, the man ensuring things happen.

Since his move from Sporting Clube de Portugal in the winter of 2020, Fernandes has been among the Premier League’s standout number 10s.

Yet this season, Ruben Amorim, dismissed by INEOS in early January, opted to redeploy him as a deep-lying midfielder. Believing the United captain could anchor his system, Amorim stationed him in a two-man pivot just ahead of the defence.

Ordinarily, such a positional switch might have curtailed Fernandes’ influence. Many expected defensive duties to blunt the 31-year-old’s creative edge, but it did not. While some argued he could have been more impactful further forward, Fernandes still found ways to dictate play.

Return to the 10 role

When Amorim departed, one of the immediate calls was to restore Fernandes to his natural number 10 role. Darren Fletcher, stepping in as interim, made the tactical tweak, and Michael Carrick has since maintained it.

Back in his favoured position, Fernandes has been electric: seven goal contributions, one goal and six assists, in seven matches.

Suddenly, Amorim’s decision to play him deeper looks questionable. Yet even in that deeper role, Fernandes delivered: five goals and seven assists in 18 appearances underline his consistency.

Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United

Recognition from WhoScored

It would be unfair to let positional debates overshadow the brilliance of his season. Thankfully, WhoScored have highlighted his impact.

With a 7.42 rating, Fernandes is currently their highest-rated Premier League player and has earned a place in their Team of the Season so far, alongside Declan Rice (as the only Premier League players).

Worthy of honour

Seeing Fernandes recognised is fitting.

Hopefully, it spurs him to scale even greater heights, guiding United back into the Champions League and perhaps even breaking the Premier League’s 20-assist record, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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