Bruno Fernandes: How Man Utd gloom has been lifted by the Portuguese midfielder

By Shamoon HafezBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Man Utdcomments496

Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes remains unbeaten after 12 Manchester United games

When Bruno Fernandes arrived at Manchester United, he joined a team who had been jeered off by their own fans in a home defeat by Burnley days earlier.

It was the low point in the club's season, their fourth defeat in seven Premier League matches.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was called "toxic", the performance an "embarrassment" and United's squad was "the worst in the last 30 years" after that result on 22 January.

But just one signing later, United are a side transformed. They are the league's form team in the eight matches since Fernandes' arrival and the doom and gloom has lifted completely.

Premier League form table
Premier League form table since Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes

A vibrant, free-flowing style is emerging under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - with Fernandes at its heart.

Against Brighton on Tuesday the 25-year-old midfielder - dubbed the 'Portuguese magnifico' by supporters - scored twice in a 3-0 win, including a brilliant volley to maintain his side's charge for Champions League qualification.

The former Sporting Lisbon man was full of life in his 64 minutes on the pitch, linking well with Paul Pogba, but showing his defensive capabilities too with three tackles, gaining possession back twice.

"Fernandes could have played 10 minutes and I would have given him man of the match," former England international Karen Carney said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "He is just so exquisite and it has been a privilege to watch him play. The difference he has made to this Manchester United team is unbelievable.

"I think Manchester United need another centre forward but that midfield is exciting. Fernandes is fantastic and I was gutted he went off."

Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has scored 20 goals for club and country this season

In the 12 games in which he has featured in all competitions, United have won eight and drawn four, scored 28 goals and conceded just four.

Since his debut in February, Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player, with six goals and four assists.

United lie two points adrift of Chelsea in fourth and three behind third-placed Leicester, who they face on the final day of the campaign in a match that could yet be a shootout for a Champions League spot.

Victory at Brighton took United fifth, which would already be enough for a Champions League place if Manchester City's ban from European competition is upheld.

"We are fighting for a place in the Champions League and we know we can achieve this," said Fernandes.

Back in January after the Burnley loss, Solskjaer was under increasing pressure and said after that game his side "were not good enough" and "lacked ideas".

His words were quite different after their dominant win at Brighton.

"They have reason to be confident because they are playing fantastically," Solskjaer told BBC Sport. "There is quality in that team, our players are fit and we have competition for places now.

"I've got more than one game-changer, we have some top players and Bruno has come and been fantastic. He has brought that winning mentality with him, that 99% is not good enough - it has to be 100%.

"It's a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves like that."

Brighton 0-3 Man Utd: Bruno has brought winning mentality to United - Solskjaer

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496 comments

  • Comment posted by True Shrew, at 01:12 1 Jul 2020

    Fernandes has made a big difference to the Man U side, 18 points from 8 games is good form, but Man U are not the only side with 18 points from the last 8 games, well done Wolves.

  • Comment posted by Bosnia Herzegovina, at 06:34 1 Jul 2020

    “Can he do it on a cold windy night at Stoke?“

    He won’t have to. Stoke aren’t getting promoted any time soon.

  • Comment posted by 4PetesSake, at 02:53 1 Jul 2020

    Ole is slowly working his magic. Bruno has been sensational, he's got 18 year old Mason Greenwood performing like a pro and is getting the best out of Martial.
    Wan Bissaka is now far more potent going forward and Williams is going to be a top wing back. The future is bright.

  • Comment posted by Simoon, at 05:58 1 Jul 2020

    I am not a MUFC fan by any stretch of the imagination but Bruno is class. You do not have to watch him for a full game to see that. And it looks like OGS is setting up the team for next season very well.

  • Comment posted by Duncan, at 01:25 1 Jul 2020

    No player has contributed (scored/assisted) more goals in the league since he joined. Fantastic signing. The future's bright

  • Comment posted by N2, at 04:43 1 Jul 2020

    Just goes to show what signing a player with a winning mentality can do to a team.

  • Comment posted by Jamie77, at 01:22 1 Jul 2020

    Bruno is so industrius. Always looking to attack. So refreshing!!

  • Comment posted by TheGreatSimondo, at 09:20 1 Jul 2020

    @beefybotham
    Liverpool have a fantastic squad right now but it is very immature to say they are the greatest English team ever. Arsenal in their prime, Chelsea with Lampard and Drogba and United of 99 and with Rooney and Ronaldo in the squad would all have given this Liverpool team a run for their money. Success doesn't last forever my friend and very soon you will have teams challenging

  • Comment posted by Red devil 79, at 00:10 1 Jul 2020

    Attitude, application and attitude... The boy's a diamond. One game at a time. #GGMU

  • Comment posted by Silverfox, at 08:08 1 Jul 2020

    You can see the Man Utd haters starting to suck their bitter lemons again, now that Utd are turning the corner to being successful again.

  • Comment posted by Boggy Marsh, at 09:21 1 Jul 2020

    As a *football fan*, not a tribal fan of one team, I thought the 3rd goal was brilliant and a joy to watch.

    And my brother, who hates Man United, even rang me after the match to say how good it was too. (Ok, he also wanted me go to the shops for him this morning.)

    I'm a Mansfield fan so I know what I'm talking about lol (we're also building a good squad)

  • Comment posted by daniel94, at 10:11 1 Jul 2020

    United fan here. Some really promising stuff of late. We’re starting to look like a good team with lots of potential. But I really wish the press and media would stop getting carried away and overhyping it.

    I find it a bit cringeworthy to be honest! It’s good to see the team steadily improving! But I think a bit of perspective wouldn’t go a miss. Still work to do.

  • Comment posted by Skelly, at 08:22 1 Jul 2020

    What a special player and how lucky we are! He seems to be pushing us 10/15 yards further up the pitch and all 3 forwards now looking much more dangerous. Perhaps teams will work out ways to counter him better - but for the first time in years it's exciting to watch us again

  • Comment posted by lillew , at 08:24 1 Jul 2020

    he is a top player, he will bring you back into the title picture next year and that's good for the Premier League.

    You paid a lot of money for Pogba to do exactly what BF is doing. BF does this because he cares and wants to win for the team.

    Dont be fooled by Pogba and dont forget the way he has threatened to leave every year because he was sulking.

  • Comment posted by Ricky, at 08:09 1 Jul 2020

    Haven't been this happy with football in a long time. As with fans of all teams you want to see good football, trophies are just a welcome bonus. Fernandez was brilliant, pogba was selfless and Greenwood is frightening, ma tic made it all work.

  • Comment posted by Knowlesdinho, at 07:37 1 Jul 2020

    Done more in a few months than Pogba has done in years.

  • Comment posted by Unbiased, at 08:23 1 Jul 2020

    Quality and class and he is no prima donna. He is showing the others that you have to run and chase and his attitude is rubbing off even on pogba who is now tackling like a different player. Well done Fernandez. Credit to you.

  • Comment posted by mansian23, at 07:56 1 Jul 2020

    Hilarious how many Anti United fans get involved - love your own team, have some dignity as well please, your hatred and jealousey is a sad statement of affairs

  • Comment posted by U18054398, at 02:32 1 Jul 2020

    Despite all the ABU's saying he was coming from a poor league and would be a huge flop Bruno has proved to be a huge asset to Man Utd and has improved the team massivly and if he keeps this level of performances up through the remainder of the season and the start of next season he will be a contender for the Ballon D'Or in December.

  • Comment posted by Arrows, at 08:30 1 Jul 2020

    Love all the Man United haters, you Trolls, come on here moaning, why are you on here, your a secret Man United fan, you moan about the BBC writing about us, WHY?, that's despite where we are in the league were the biggest club, biggest draw, no matter where the rest finish we are always the biggest club in England, go on down vote this and it will only prove my statement is a fact.

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