While Sunday’s Manchester derby left much to be desired in terms of goals, entertainment and quality, there was one Manchester United star who effortlessly pulled the strings yet again.
Indeed, Bruno Fernandes is enjoying another scintillating personal campaign for the Red Devils, to the point you have to question just how things would look for the club had he not been available throughout the term.
The fact he’s notched 16 goals and 16 assists in all competitions is only proof of just how irreplaceable he truly is at the heart of United’s midfield. However, times like yesterday, where he didn’t record any goal involvements in the evening stalemate, could lead to his performances slipping under the radar – and it definitely shouldn’t.
As per Sofascore, the skipper had 70 touches in total. He finished the 90 minutes with a 93 per cent passing accuracy, three dribbles to his name and three key passes.
Fernandes hailed by ex-United prospect for derby efforts
Fernandes had pinpoint accuracy in each of his five long balls attempted, as well as seven of his ground duels. Such a dominant display would lead to most players becoming the talk of the Premier League for the forthcoming days, but it’s become so much of a regular occurrence for Fernandes that fans aren’t even remotely surprised anymore.
Ex-Red Phil Bardsley reserved special praise for the midfielder, too, saying on MUTV: “I think the best player on the pitch by a country mile was Bruno Fernandes.
“Think of the standards that he sets for his for his teammates and himself. I think we would have been in a spot of bother without him this season.
“The performances he puts in cover every blade of grass involved in every bit of play going forward. He was instrumental again. Today he was absolutely outstanding.
“He is the heartbeat of this team, isn’t he? [He] keeps everything ticking, both parts, defending, the ability to keep on running.”
