Ever heard people talk of Messiahs in football ? Surely, you would have and it could be predicted that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi come to mind when topics like this are discussed in world football. But not all teams can have these two genius, and one can only do with what is available, acquirable and realistic.
Before the commencement of the 2019-20 season, Manchester United pressed for the signature of one Bruno Fernandes from Portuguese club, Sporting Lisbon but could not reach an agreement for the midfielder before the summer transfer close last year.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side came back for the 26year old in January and were able to secure the transfer of their long term target after reaching agreement with Sporting, with Fernandes moving to England for a fee around €57m.
Manchester United were literarily in shambles at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, the team had been plagued by lack of creativity, as attackers were starved of services, until mid-season, when there was no creative player, with Paul Pogba out injured whilst not even at his best when available, with Jessie Lingard and Andreas Pereira not good enough whenever they are called upon.
Week in week out, United relied on playing on the counter, a strategy that halted Liverpools 17 game winning streak, and expertly beat Manchester City, and most of the other members of the big six, including a 4-0 thumping of Chelsea, earlier last season. However, they did struggle against lesser oppositions that allowed them dictate the tempo of the games.
Why?
This was simply because the team lacked a creative player to break the rigid defensive set-up of these teams, and they are in dire need of one, then. After they were able to meet Sporting’s demands of €57m, it was all that was needed to solve all the problem.
Fortunately for United, Bruno Fernandes was able to adapt to the Premier League quickly, and was arguably the best player in the League pre and post Covid-19 lockdown as the club remained unbeaten in the league till the end of the season, reviving their dying Champions League hope and restoring belief back into the team and the fans.
With Fernandes finishing the past league season with nine goals and eight assist despite only joining in mid season, he was awarded two Premier League Player of The Month award before claiming United’s Player of the Season award, and all eyes were on him to replicate his decent form in the next campaign.
Has he been Able to do that?
Despite United’s slow start to the current season, Bruno Fernandes has remain the brilliant player of last campaign or even better, with the Portuguese already having six goals and three assists to his name already in the league, with impressive stats also in the Champions League for The Red Devils.
The former Sporting man can easily be called Premier League the best player since his arrival. He has the stats to back him up in this claim as he has had a hand in more goals (34) in all competitions than any other player in the English topflight since his debut (21 goals, 13 assists).
Indeed, Fernandes has been a blessing to Manchester United and his teammates who have improved well since playing alongside the player. With 26 chances created in the Premier League this season, he leads the way, ahead of any other player in the division.
He will be needed to remain at his best as Manchester United prepare for the run-in in December when fatigue causes players to lose form. It is without doubt that Fernandes is one of the few reasons Manchester United’s performance have improved since the turn of the year and the fee paid to Sporting was a fee well spent.
Al-Fuad Sobayo
1 Comment
He's good but I dont accept hes the best CAM