ONE YEAR ago today, Manchester United began their march back to the top.
That was the day Bruno Fernandes arrived from Sporting Lisbon in a £55million deal.
Bruno Fernandes is the main reason Man Utd are smiling again and challenging for the Premier League title under Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
No Premier League player has scored more than Bruno Fernandes’ 28 goals in all competitions since he joined Man UtdCredit: EPA
The 2-0 home league defeat to Burnley just over a week earlier was possibly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lowest moment.
There were crowds back then and Old Trafford was in open revolt.
The result left them fifth, 24 points behind leaders Liverpool and with little hope of things improving. But things were about to change.
Fernandes arrived and the season finished with three semi-finals and a third-placed Premier League finish.
The momentum, after a rocky start, was picked up again this season. United were back.
Since arriving, no Premier League player has scored more than the Portuguese star’s 28 goals in all competitions.
Harry Kane is second with 26 and only Kevin De Bruyne has more assists with 21 to his 17.
Fernandes has played 34 Premier League games for United and they have won 21 of them. Of their previous 34 they won just 12.
So it is little wonder that, looking back over a year with Fernandes, boss Solskjaer was gushing with praise.
He said: “Brilliant. From day one he’s come in and wanted to affect the environment, the playing environment, the staff. He’s been a great addition.
“He’s such a humble human being, working hard, and I think everyone has seen what he’s done on the pitch.
“I’m very pleased with his first year and long may it continue.”
It is not just with the ball that Fernandes has changed things.
Before his arrival United could drift towards defeat without anyone shouting, lifting, criticising or cajoling. Fernandes changed all that.
Remember his on-field blistering of Victor Lindelof after United conceded the second goal in their 2-1 Europa League semi-final defeat by Sevilla.
He is non-stop, every game, demanding – and team-mates respond.
Solskjaer said: “He’s got his opinion, he’s a winner and is not going to let a game pass away and talk about it after, he wants to affect it there and then.
“He’s so passionate about winning and he knows his football.”
Even when he is rested and sat in the stands he will be talking to his fellow substitutes about the match.
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And when he gets home he is a student of the game too.
Solskjaer said: “He watches every game on TV, especially the big games. If you ask him ‘did you watch that last night?’ he’s always seen the game.
“He’s going to make the most of his career, that’s for sure.”
Behind the scenes at United he has helped lift the gloom too.
Described as a joy to work with and be around, there is nothing flash about the 26-year-old married father-of-two.
While most players steam up the farmer’s lane to the Carrington training ground in top of the range gas guzzlers, Fernandes used to arrive in a Mini straight off the set of the Italian Job.
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Most star footballers will be seen in the latest expensive fashion, but he is happy to pick up stuff from Zara. He has certainly been made to measure for United at just the right time.
And Solskjaer believes United were right for him too.
He said: “Bruno came in at a time when we needed that type of player. He came into a team that makes his attributes and skills come to fruition.
“He’s come to a team that suits him and he suits the team. It goes hand in hand.
“If the players don’t run, Bruno can’t play his passes. If Bruno doesn’t play his passes then they can’t run.
“He’s part of a chain here and I’m sure that Bruno will say he also appreciates his team-mates and that they help him through the games.”
The higher up in the league, the more pressure there will be on us and on him. The limelight is on him but I’m sure he will handle that pressure fine.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Fernandes has to cope with the fact fans now look to him to dig them out of a hole, like he did against Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend.
Solskjaer added: “The higher up in the league, the more pressure there will be on us and on him.
“The limelight is on him but I’m sure he will handle that pressure fine.”
After the 2-1 midweek defeat by Sheffield United, the next big test comes against Arsenal at the Emirates today.
It is a big game made for a big game player — and United definitely have one in Fernandes.
MANCHESTER UNITED (likely): De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Bailly, Maguire, Fred, McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
