BRUNO FERNANDES set up a record EIGHT chances from open play against West Ham – despite only coming on at half-time.
That is the highest number created in a Premier League game this season.
Bruno Fernandes was at his creative best against West Ham, creating eight chances from open play in just 45 minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Manchester United playmaker, 26, was rested for the trip to the London Stadium.
But with his side trailing 1-0 at the break, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned to Fernandes to change the game.
And he did exactly that with his creative spark proving critical.
Midway through the second half, Dean Henderson’s long punt upfield – which actually went out of play – was collected by the Portuguese sensation.
He turned inside and teed up Paul Pogba who fired in an excellent equaliser from range.
Mason Greenwood’s touch and finish turned the scoreline on its head before Marcus Rashford rounded off the scoring and secured all three points with a cheeky dink.
Fernandes’ eight chances created from open play is two more than anyone else has managed in a single top-flight game in 2020-21.
West Brom wizard Matheus Pereira’s performance against Sheffield United saw him set up his team-mates nine times – but that included set pieces.
Fernandes’ touch map from his second-half display shows how effective he wasCredit: Opta
Kevin De Bruyne, Reece James, Riyad Mahrez, who still scored a hat-trick against Burnley, and that man Fernandes – against Newcastle – have all managed six open-play openings.
Jack Grealish – twice – Raheem Sterling, James Rodriguez and Ryan Fredericks have five apiece in Premier League matches this term.
But none of them come close to Fernandes’ scintillating display in the second half at West Ham.
On top of that, he also has the most chances created in total across Europe’s top-five leagues with 35 in 2020-21.
That places him just above Hakan Calhanoglu (34), Thomas Muller, Leo Dubois (both 31) and ex-Red Devils man Memphis Depay (30).
And that is why Old Trafford bosses are planning to offer their January arrival a bumper new pay packet, doubles his wages to around £200,000 per week.
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Fernandes and Rashford came off the bench to change the game at the London StadiumCredit: Reuters
Riyad Mahrez, right, and Kevin De Bruyne have both racked up six open-play chances created this season for Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
