Bruno Fernandes is more crucial than ever for United

It has been an totally shambolic begin to the season for Manchester United.

After an embarrassing marketing campaign that noticed them end fifteenth and miss out on main silverware, United have trudged by way of the opening weeks of the 2025/26 season below Ruben Amorim. They fell to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal earlier than drawing 1-1 to Fulham, earlier than taking up League Two outfit Grimsby City within the second spherical of the EFL Cup. United conceded two early objectives however however pressure a penalty shootout due to late objectives from Bryan Mbuemo and Harry Maguire, however they had been unable to finish the comeback after dropping 12-11 within the shootout.

United responded to their defeat by grabbing an early lead in opposition to newly promoted facet Burnley, however Lyle Foster would even issues up after the break for the Clarets. Whereas Mbuemo restored their benefit instantly, Jaidon Anthony would equalize within the 66th minute. However simply when Burnley seemed set to flee Outdated Trafford with a degree, Anthony conceded a penalty and enabled Bruno Fernandes to fit dwelling the profitable purpose within the 97th minute.

Born in Maia, Portugal, Fernandes was 18 when he left his homeland for Italy, bouncing round from Novara to Udinese to Sampdoria earlier than returning to Portugal in 2017 and becoming a member of Sporting CP. It was right here the place Fernandes established himself as one of the crucial formidable attacking midfielders in Europe, profitable the Liga Portugal Participant of the Yr in 2018 and 2019 earlier than finally becoming a member of Manchester United in January 2020 for €55 million plus as much as €25 million in add-ons and a ten% resale clause.

“Even when he wasn’t scoring or helping, he performed very properly, and after he’d register a purpose or help, he’d afterwards play simpler passes. He was a really good participant to play with – he has a wand of a proper foot,” admitted Valentin Rosier, who performed alongside Fernandes in 2019/20, in an RG interview. “You already know his footballing qualities, however what I like about him, it doesn’t make a distinction about who you might be. It doesn’t matter should you’re his good friend or not; if he needs to inform you one thing, he’ll, which is essential for the crew.”

Fernandes wasted no time in repaying his switch price, rising as one in all United’s greatest gamers within the post-SAF period and racking up 99 objectives and 86 assists in 294 appearances for the membership. Throughout his 5 years on the membership, he’s helped them attain two UEFA Europa League Finals, win an FA Cup and an EFL Cup, and he has been named the Sir Matt Busby Participant of the Yr in 4 of the final six seasons and has additionally had the captain’s armband bestowed upon him. As an alternative of working because the #10, he’s now taking part in in a double pivot alongside Casemiro in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1. However regardless of this deeper positioning, Fernandes has continued to depart his handprint on proceedings.

Fernandes has been lively each on and off the ball, profitable possession extra instances (24) and creating extra possibilities (12) than any participant within the Premier League this season, in addition to probably the most possibilities created from open play (8) and probably the most shot-creating actions (25). He created probably the most possibilities within the Premier League in 2022/23 (119), 2023/24 (114) and 2024/25 (91), and all indicators level to him persevering with that sample this season following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure to Napoli. In truth, solely Kylian Mbappe has created as many possibilities in Europe’s high 5 leagues.

Manchester United will likely be trying to safe their first away Premier League win in six months as they tackle Manchester Metropolis on September 14 earlier than internet hosting one other Champions League crew (Chelsea). With a view to come away unscathed from each video games, they’ll want Fernandes to be at his greatest.