Erik ten Hag has commented on Bruno Fernandes’ performances this season as well as what the midfielder brings to Manchester United.
Fernandes joined United in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year after his first season in Manchester despite only playing five months of the campaign. He went on to win it again the following year.
The Portugal international provided an instant impact after signing for the club and racked up an outstanding number of goal contributions in his first full season; 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 games across all competitions. In 2021/2022, he struggled to maintain the same form but still finished with impressive numbers with 10 goals and 14 assists.
This season has been somewhat of a slow start for Fernandes, especially considering his form in previous years. He plays almost every game for the Reds and is one of the club’s most creative playmakers in midfield, alongside new arrival Christian Eriksen.
After being informed the midfielder only has one goal in 13 appearances, Ten Hag told MUTV: “Yeah but I think Bruno is playing really good this season, so I can see in that fact, he can produce more goals, assists.
“But I think he’s often in the line of the goal and he’s playing a massive role in a lot of moments of football for us: in building up attacks, creativity, movement, but also in transitions, in both sides, in the defensive transitions he’s magnificent and doing a really good job so I’m really happy with his performances.”
Regarding Fernandes’ role as captain amid Harry Maguire’s absences, he said: “That’s also one of the things [he’s impressed me with], I think he’s really an example.
“The way he transfers the way of play from us, how he motivates around him, how he is the example, so the energy he gives to the team, that’s really good and so I’m happy with his performance. I know it will come, his goals and assists, and it will be even more.”
