Portugal international Bruno Fernandes is one of several Manchester United players to improve under Erik ten Hag since the Dutchman’s appointment as manager last summer.
Bruno Fernandes has registered a goal involvement in six consecutive Premier League games after scoring in Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It is the first time that Fernandes, 28, has achieved the feat and further evidence of his improvement under Erik ten Hag. The United manager has turned the team’s fortunes around since his arrival last summer and is getting the best out of several stars.
Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are among those to impress under Ten Hag after battling under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season. United fans will be hoping Fernandes continues to produce the goods in their pursuit of silverware.
The Portugal international has scored three goals and provided three assists in United’s last six Premier League games – helping them record wins against the likes of Palace. He has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in all competitions this season.
Fernandes has regained the form that made him a fan favourite on his move to Old Trafford in January 2020. He scored 40 goals during his first 18 months in Manchester – helping him win four Premier League Player of the Month awards in 2020 alone.
Fernandes did well last season – scoring 10 goals and providing 14 assists – but his form was not as blistering as before. He is starting to get back to his best and has also taken on the added responsibility of the captaincy in Harry Maguire’s absence.
Maguire is fit but no longer a starter at United. Ten Hag’s ruthlessness is one aspect of his managerial philosophy that has turned the Red Devils from a struggling giant into genuine silverware contenders. They could only muster a six-placed finish last term.
United are now third in the Premier League – eight points behind leaders Arsenal having played a game more – and look set to qualify for the Champions League next term. They are also still in the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
United have not won a trophy since their Europa League success six seasons ago and have a great opportunity of ending their drought in the Carabao Cup. Ten Hag’s side have reached the final and will take on high-flying Newcastle on Sunday, February 26.
If fit, Fernandes is likely to start that game as captain and will be dreaming of success. Speaking after United’s 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest in December, Fernandes admitted he was more interested in the team’s success than his individual stats.
“If we’re talking about statistics, in my first year it was amazing,” the playmaker told NBC Sports. “Probably now, I’m not getting as many goals and assists but I’m playing much better and I am more involved in the game than I was before.
“It’s more important that the team wins. That makes your week. It’s easier to go to training and see the same faces when you win than it is when you lose.”
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
