Manchester United: Should Bruno Fernandes lead the Red Devils? Midfielder is more than just team's go-to man
Bruno Fernandes has five goals in seven games for the Manchester United. In the three wins the side has registered so far in the season, the Portuguese midfielder has scored in two games while one came in their disastrous 1-6 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. He's had three assists with a shooting accuracy of 50%. Fernandes ended the previous season with eight goals and seven from 14 appearances. Considering his form so far this season, United cannot sit him out for any game unless he injures himself or earns a suspension.
The reason is quite simple. Fernandes has gone from their go-to man to a natural leader. Saturday's game against Everton saw him slam the ball at the back of the net twice in their 2-1 win at Goodison Park. To add to the sweet win, there was another assist he set up and proving himself to be an asset for the misfiring side. The team went into this fixture on the back of a Champions League loss to Istanbul Basaksehir. It was a shock, especially after they beat Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, just to lose to minnows.
With Everton taking an early lead on Saturday. It didn't take long to notice slumped shoulders until Fernandes equalized it converting a Luke Shaw cross and heading it into the net, and he wasn't done for the day yet. He managed to score again for the Red Devils in 32 minutes when his cross into the box rebounded off the post and into the goal. Then came an assist that saw Edinson Cavani launch one in to end Everton's day on a sad note.
The win now gets them into 14th place. Again, a world-class side isn't used to being in that position, but with the jaded football they have played so far, Fernandes stands as the bright spot and perhaps will even be looked at as a source of inspiration for United in the games to come. Even as Harry Maguire rallied his troops around attempting to mount a comeback, it was Fernandes who put the plan into action. There is no doubt he is a natural leader and United can actually consider making him the captain.
It is a move that worked before. He led by example against PSG in their Champions League as Maguire sat out. Maguire was all praise for the Portugal man. "Bruno was excellent,” Maguire confirmed to the club’s official website. “He came under a little bit of stick on Wednesday night but he’s a big character and a big leader. He’s reacted brilliantly and does his talking on the pitch. I’m delighted he’s got a couple of goals or whatever you want to call it, a goal or an assist."
In many ways, Solskjaer can thank Fernandes for potentially saving his job. The manager was under-fire and there was a need for someone to step up. There is a sense of responsibility and determination that fuels Fernandes and those traits were on full display. With a long season in store, United could use the skill and attitude he brings to the side. And making him the skipper might not be a bad idea after all.