There are good signings, important signings and then there are players who completely change a club’s fortunes. Bruno Fernandes belongs in the last category.
The Manchester United captain showed it again on Sunday. After the embarrassment at Hull City and a nervy start against Ipswich Town, Bruno Fernandes took the game into his own hands and dragged United back into it. His hat-trick and assist helped Michael Carrick‘s side turn a difficult afternoon into a 5-2 win.
Just been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, it was another reminder of why he deserved that recognition in the first place.
Bruno Fernandes keeps doing what Manchester United need
Fernandes doesn’t always make things look easy. That has never really been his game.
He tries things. He looks forward. He wants the ball and, more importantly, he wants to do something with it. That willingness to take a risk has sometimes made him frustrating, but it is also what has made him so valuable to Manchester United.
Against Ipswich, the Portuguese midfielder was exactly that player again.
He ran in behind the Ipswich defence and finished emphatically to bring United level. Later, after missing two penalties during pre-season, he showed no hesitation from 12 yards and put United ahead.
His third was perhaps the most typical Fernandes goal of the lot. Bryan Mbeumo’s shot fell for him, but there was still plenty to do. Fernandes picked his spot and found the corner.
And then there was the assist.
Three goals and a pass that helped turn the match on its head. United needed someone to step forward, and once again it was their captain.
Gary Neville summed up his importance perfectly during Sky Sports commentary.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, United’s best signing in the post-Ferguson era.”
Neville went even further.
“This is one of the great Manchester United signings and one of the great Manchester United players.”
The signing that changed Manchester United
Fernandes arrived at Manchester United in an era when the club were desperately searching for midfield solution after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Plenty of players have come through the door since then. Some had good moments. Others never really settled. Bruno Fernandes has been different.
His numbers tells part of the story. Last season he provided a record 21 Premier League assists and scored nine times as United finished third and secured Champions League football.
Now, remarkably, he has started the new campaign with another hat-trick.
When United need something to happen, he doesn’t hide. He won’t spend 90 minutes choosing the safe pass simply to protect his numbers. Many have criticized him for demanding too much from his players and often frustrated on them but he demands his teammates to be on a level he is.
That is why Sunday’s performance felt so important.
United had just suffered a 2-0 defeat to Hull. The pressure was already building and Ipswich had taken advantage of United’s uncertain start. One more frustrating result would have made the mood around Old Trafford very different.
Bruno Fernandes took things in his own hands. He changed the game.
He has now added the PFA award to his FWA Footballer of the Year prize, but individual honours only tell part of his story. His biggest contribution to United has been making himself the player the team can turn to when things aren’t going their way.
Post-Ferguson, Manchester United have struggled to find many signings who can consistently carry responsibility at the very highest level.
Fernandes has done exactly that.
And if we’re talking about the best midfield signing United have made since Ferguson left, it is becoming harder to make a convincing argument for anyone else.
