Since the Portuguese Magnifico’s arrival in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon, Bruno Fernandes hasn’t looked back. 40 goals and 25 assists in 80 games in Red. The man that parts of the United fanbase felt was keeping Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the job. An unbelievable coupe for just £46m, but are fans starting to downplay how good the 26-year-old really is?
United need Bruno Fernandes
Many United fans feel as though Fernandes has been heavily overplayed in his time since joining, however, the reality is that Manchester United need Bruno Fernandes. Goal scorer, creator and a demanding leader; if Manchester United want to be successful, they need more players with the attitude and quality of Bruno Fernandes.
United do have other creative sources in the squad such as Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, arguably Donny Van De Beek too, as well as new arrival Jadon Sancho. But it’s hard to agree that these players could do the job that the Portuguese international has done since his arrival in Manchester. Paul Pogba has picked up injuries, so too Marcus Rashford, and United have somewhat survived. But it’s hard to imagine what United would be without their Portuguese Magnifico.
Saturday 5th December, West Ham United at the Olympic stadium; the first time United lined-up without Fernandes starting in a Premier League game since his arrival. It was a game which felt as though United had wasted 45 mins, going into the break a goal down. Fernandes was brought on at the beginning of the second half and United looked a much more confident side. United’s talisman proved to be the catalyst, providing the assist for Paul Pogba’s equaliser in the 65th minute. United went on to win the game 3-1.
There has been a slight over reliance on United’s number 18, but the arrival of Jadon Sancho is something that Fernandes definitely deserves. The Englishman will take huge pressure off Bruno, providing creativity from the right hand-side. Although many rival fans are starting to disrespect Fernandes, it’s hard to argue that there is another attacker in the United side who is more important than him.
