Bruno the Conqueror
All title challengers need a protagonist. Kevin de Bruyne at Man City, Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, Eden Hazard at Chelsea. All were imperious in seasons that culminated in their respective teams securing silverware. Few, though, have been accredited with improving the fortunes of their side so profusely as Bruno Fernandes. Since following the migratory path less trodden, from the sunny climes of Lisbon to surly North-West England, his impact has been irrefutable.
First player to win 4 player-of-the-month awards in a calendar year. Check. 46 goals and assists in just 53 appearances. Check. Cleverly constructed nickname derived from his penchant for spot-kicks. Check.
These are all accolades and achievements even the hardest-nosed sceptics would struggle to undermine. On the surface, there is no rhyme or reason for reproach, but is there weight to the oft-peddled theory that he is solely responsible for their assault up the league table?
As it stands, United are 12 points and 3 places better off than at the same stage last season, thanks, in no small part, to the impact of the former Sporting man. Deployed in an advanced midfield role, with minimal defensive responsibility, Fernandes has proved to be the fulcrum, capable of welding a largely industrious midfield to its dynamic but, previously, unhinged attack. As Brighton, Southampton and countless others can attest — results are often devastating.
The old adage of ‘less is more’ has proved rather fruitful for Fernandes. Often on the half-turn, his role is to receive the ball and play forward at the earliest opportunity; enabling the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood to turn and run at exposed defenders. The process by which Fernandes is able to find these unmanned pockets of space is largely overlooked, however. Is it a by-product of elevated ingenuity or rather the sacrifice of others at the behest of their attacking linchpin?
Often maligned for a perceived sense of arrogance and/or unawareness in the middle of the park since his own arrival at Old Trafford, Paul Pogba has been on the end of largely unwarranted criticism. The Frenchman’s willingness to take the ball in tight spaces, often deep in his own half, invites opponents to press-up and engage in battles with him. Blessed with an imposing frame and a feather-lite deft of touch, Pogba is often able to wriggle away from such affronts. The ensuing chain-reaction leaves space further up the pitch for Fernandes to roam free.
Since his January move, he has firmly established himself as the on-field embodiment of the laissez-faire approach favoured by the Woodward-Solskjaer axis. Instructions and coaching are kept simple, play forward, play early and play quickly. If the defenders are playing a high-line, thread it in-behind. If on the edge of the box with space, take a strike. If found roaming in the wide channels, whip it in. Such assessments may be reductive, but the outcome can’t really be questioned.
The jury is still out over whether Solskjaer is the man to lead United back to the top of the English game, but he’s the man who has come closest so far. His tactics suit Fernandes, so much so that it could go some way as to explaining the contrast between his output at club level and on the international scene.
In 27 games for the Portugal national team, he has scored twice and registered just 4 assists. Of these 6 goal involvements, only 1 has occurred since he became a United player. Admittedly, such comparisons may be ill-judged — it’s hard to build any form of momentum when games take place every couple of months and one must factor in the internal politics of playing for a nation so explicitly driven to meet the needs of one player.
Arguably, 30 games is the benchmark by which players start to stamp their authority on their national team. Sitting on 27 caps at the start of Euro 2016, it was at this point that Antoine Griezmann became the focal point of Didier Deschamps’ functional French Side. Similarly, it was at the 2018 World Cup when Harry Kane reached this landmark — going on to score for England at alarming regularity ever since. If Bruno wants to reach the next level, it’s from this point onwards that he must assume responsibility for propelling his national team to where they want to be.
The inconvenient truth for United fans is that their best run of form since the Ferguson era has coincided with an empty Old Trafford. In time, as the return of fans inches closer, this could yet prove inconsequential.
Having become so accustomed to home success under Sir Alex, the prevailing years have been marked by an undercurrent of dissatisfaction. A particular feature of the fans’ frustrations was sloppiness in midfield and the subsequent disconnect between midfield and attack. Although this ailment has been largely remedied by Bruno’s arrival — he is not immune to his own misgivings.
Detractors will point to his tendency to lose the ball in the attacking phase. Granted, there must be a trade-off; not all passes will reach their intended target, certainly not those where the margins are so small. But would one be so willing to try and try again if Old Trafford was full? Would the groans and murmurs of discontent — vocal residue of a gluttonously successful past, merging with the realities of their present — weigh too heavy on his shoulders?
The lazy attribution of all United’s improvement lying at the feet of Fernandes is both an overestimation of his talents and an underappreciation of those around him. Holistically, his drive and will to win will be infectious, encouraging his peers to work just as hard as him. The thirst for trophies will energise and ignite the same fire within those that have previously been accused of coasting.
That said, does Fernandes’ arrival explain Luke Shaw’s re-emergence? Is it the root of the increased influence yielded in midfield by Scott McTominay? Is there any direct correlation between Bruno Fernandes’ goals to assist ratio and Harry Maguire’s increased authority at centre-back?
The answer is no, but he’s worth every penny.
