Manchester United showed there’s life in them yet in the Premier League with a brilliant performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford in a 1-1 draw.
If not for David Raya’s ridiculous interceptions, Man Utd were good value for all three points after making chance after chance against all expectations.
It all started with Bruno Fernandes‘ free kick, United’s first shot on target in the game, which he converted in sublime fashion.
The confidence from that opener galvanised the whole team, and the irony of Fernandes’s making a difference wasn’t lost on Rio Ferdinand, who sent a clear message to Roy Keane and the captain’s other detractors.
Rio Ferdinand’s Bruno Fernandes message
Fernandes has long divided opinion, surprisingly so, since both the eye test as well as the statistics prove that he’s United’s most important player.
He proved that again vs Arsenal where, even beyond his freekick, he remained the most dependable player in and out of possession.
Fernandes finished the game with 50 touches, five ball recoveries, three shots, and an all-around game that made mockery of his detractors, again!
Ferdinand kept the receipts and immediately after the Portuguese hit his free-kick, sent his detractors a clear message, writing on X, “Bruno is our problem they keep telling me…”.
To be fair to Roy Keane, even he called Fernandes “Captain Fantastic” after his free-kick, stressing that he never doubted his quality, just he wanted to see more from him.
Keane said: “Captain fantastic! I’ve never doubted his quality but thought he could do more for the team. What a strike, the power, the technique.”
Bruno Fernandes deserves success at Man Utd
For a player of his quality, who’s regularly in the echelons of the top players of world football in all key metrics, the fact he doesn’t have a single major league or European title is a travesty.
It hasn’t been for a lack of trying on his part, which makes it all the more confusing that he’s singled out for criticism when he’s the one doing the most to drag this team to relevance.
Regardless of the manager, formation, tactics, teammates, or the opposition, Fernandes can always be relied upon to deliver the goods.
That is the kind of player United are screaming out for, so they have to make sure they do justice by him.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/t7ZmQ1X