FERNANDES
Even though Manchester United’s season may be on life support, Ruben Amorim’s team is still alive thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ resuscitation efforts.
The UEFA Europa League holds the hope of bringing something positive out of this terrible campaign. Next month, United will play Lyon in the quarterfinals, thanks to the team’s captain.
At Old Trafford on Thursday, Real Sociedad lost 4-1 despite a hat-trick from Fernandes. It was sufficient for a 5-2 victory overall, and what had appeared to be a nervous and anxious night turned into a festive one. This was one of United’s greatest performances under Amorim, but there has not been much to celebrate about.
It was motivated by Fernandes, who has the ability to lead this side to a trophy and UEFA Champions League qualification if he stays healthy and in form.
Amorim remarked, “We previously discussed about Bruno a number of times,” after the fact.
“We are aware of his occasional frustration. We are aware of his intense desire to win, which is why he switches positions and chases the ball when things are not going his way. He needs to trust his colleague occasionally, but he is always there for us. He has the ability to defend, score goals, and move the ball forward. We must assist him in winning championships since he is the ideal captain for our group.
Fernandes is enjoying playing the savior. With Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund unable to score, the Portuguese midfielder has been personally involved in 11 of United’s previous 13 goals. It includes his incredible free kick against Arsenal on Sunday, which he followed up with three goals versus Sociedad.
Two penalties were taken calmly. Nearly every other player on the field appeared to be gasping for air, but his third was a clinical finish following a furious late surge forward. Diogo Dalot completed the outcome in stoppage time to wrap it up.
With the game safely won, Fernandes received a standing ovation and was greeted with chants of “Bruno, Bruno” as he approached to take a corner.
It might have been quite different without Fernandes.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty kick handed United the lead for the tenth time in twelve games at Old Trafford after they were ineffective in the first ten minutes.
Six minutes later, Fernandes scored his first penalty, and just after halftime, he scored his second. When Jon Aramburu was sent off seven minutes after replacing Patrick Dorgu due to a foul, it made United’s mission simpler.
Dorgu was outstanding when he was bought from Lecce last month. Prior to VAR overturning the judgment, he believed he had earned another penalty after winning the pivotal second one. After the 20-year-old Denmark international was added, Amorim’s 3-4-3 scheme became much more logical.
Ayden Heaven, who was signed during the winter transfer window, was equally remarkable. It is doubtful that Amorim had any plans to use the 18-year-old so soon after signing him as a first team player. Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro’s injuries have given Heaven an early opportunity, which he has seized both against Arsenal and Sociedad. He was muscular and nimble on the left of the back three and was given his first senior start.
As United tried to play out from the back, he maintained his calm to nip past Oyarzabal in his own penalty area. He also handled a waist-high pass that Casemiro fizzed back at him under pressure. It displayed a level of confidence that many United players have lacked this season.
“We portray the future and we deal with the difficulties of the present,” Amorim stated.
“Everyone in the club had a great time at this game. We shown our readiness for this type of game.
“Even if our display against Arsenal was not very impressive, it gave us a lot of hope. Despite losing a goal, we kept playing. We have maintained our belief that we can advance to the next round since the first minute. The roar and the supporters are palpable. It is difficult to describe. You sense the supporters’ confidence. It was an excellent evening.
Fernandes is crucial to the present if Heaven and Dorgu were largely signed with the future in mind. This week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of United, called some of the team’s players “overpaid and not good enough.”
The only one to receive any recognition was Fernandes, who the British billionaire called “a terrific footballer.” He stated it would be “very tough” without Fernandes.
Ratcliffe wants to start his plan to rebuild United with the money from the Champions League. He needs the money to build the new stadium that was unveiled last week and to support Amorim with players. Staying in the Europa League preserves the chance. Fernandes is responsible for United’s survival.
