Even a pair of former Liverpool and Man City stalwarts could not hide their admiration for one member of Erik ten Hag’s squad following Manchester United’s hard-fought 4-2 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
Then again, when you are faced with such irrefutable evidence of a footballer’s ‘exquisite’ quality, it can be hard to deny even for the most biased of observers.
Yes, Bruno Fernandes can rub people up the wrong way. Danny Murphy, the one-time Liverpool midfielder, could not resist the temptation to bring up the Manchester United captain’s ‘histrionics’.
But after taking his tally to nine ‘goal contributions’ in the last five games with a brace and an assist for Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford, almost single-handedly saving Ten Hag from yet more humiliation, those who spent much of their careers battling against Man United simply had to leave their allegiances at the door.
Bruno Fernandes inspires Manchester United win
“All the chaos that surrounds Man United, I just think for a player to keep his composure and to perform at the level which is needed is fantastic,” Micah Richards, the ex-Man City defender, tells BBC’s Match of the Day (24 April, 10.30pm), Fernandes playing as a deep-lying playmaker, a line-breaking attacking midfielder and an off-the-shoulder rolled into one vs The Blades.
“Sheffield United pushed them at times. But I just want to have a look at (Fernandes) movement; when you’ve got a number ten playing in there, not many people want to run in behind. You see his confidence growing throughout the game.”
Fernandes cancelled out Ben Brereton-Diaz’s strike to draw United level just after half-time, put the hosts ahead at last with a long-range stunner on 81 minutes and then set up Hojlund to seal a much-needed three points.
“A pressure penalty, at 2-1. Can he finish? Of course he can,” Richards adds. “And his all-round game was brilliant, whether he was coming really deep (or) getting in these little spaces (on the edge of the penalty area).
“This is on his left foot. Absolutely exquisite finish, that really was. And (the assist for Hojlund) is the intelligence, the timing, running in behind, the awareness to pock the pass. Everything he’s been doing for United has been brilliant of late.
“He really is a proper player.”
Fernandes overtakes Rasmus Hojlund in top scorer chase
With 15 goals in all competitions, Fernandes is now Man United top scorer this term, overtaking Hojlund in first place.
The Portugal international also has 11 assists to his name, ensuring that he will finish the campaign with double figures for both goals and assists in every one of his full seasons as a United player.
“His best quality, which all the top players have, is his bravery to continually try and create and make things happen when other people are hiding,” explains Murphy. “He’s a wonderful technician. He shows up week-in, week-out.
“He’s done really well (for Man United).”
United will look to build on their first win in seven league matches at home to another side in the relegation zone, Burnley arriving at Old Trafford on Saturday.