Ever since arriving from Sporting CP in a deal worth €55 million, Bruno Fernandes has been a gamechanger for Manchester United. Rewind to January 2020, United were sitting fifth in the Premier League table, six points off fourth and 14 points behind Leicester City in third. Champions League qualification was looking highly unlikely. Bruno almost single-handedly lifted the side into a third-place finish after rounding off the season on a 14-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. He proved to be the catalyst and notched 20 goal involvements in 22 appearances in all competitions. Fernandes became the first player in Premier League history to win the leagues Player of the Month award four times in a single calendar year.
Bruno’s arrival was a breath of fresh air to an abject United side. The team was crying out for a player of his quality and character in the post-Fergie era. Brunos the leader, leader by example, leader by what he does when he gives the ball away, sprints straight after it, every time the team is on the ball, he wants it, he looks to play a pass that matters”, said Gary Neville after the midfielder’s first year at the club.
Fernandes continued his brilliant form by scoring 28 goals and providing 17 assists during the 2020/21 season, as United finished second in the league and runners-up in the Europa League after losing the final on penalties.
The signs were there that United were ready to challenge for the title under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021/22, and hopes were only boosted by the summer acquisitions of Jadon Sancho, Raphaël Varane and the sensational return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford.
Fast forward eight months, United are limping their way to their fifth successive trophyless season. With interim manager Ralph Rangnick at the helm, United sit in sixth place in the league and have been knocked out of all cup competitions. The team is coming under heavy criticism from top to bottom, including Bruno who has suffered a dip in form leaving fans frustrated with recent performances.
With news breaking out this week that Fernandes is close to signing a new long-term contract with the Red Devils, we take a look at whether the incoming Manchester United manager next summer should look to build his team around Bruno.
This tactical analysis and scout report will look at Bruno Fernandes’ overall impact on the team in different phases of the game and crunch the numbers to analyze his recent form.
Attacking output
The primary position Fernandes has occupied during his career is the number 10 position in a 4-2-3-1 formation, whether in a Sporting, United or Portugal shirt. He also has the technical capacity to play as an advanced 8 in a 4-3-3. The graphic below highlights Bruno’s heatmap at Manchester United this season. As you can see, he covers most areas of the pitch and is more concentrated on the left side of the playmaker role due to United sustaining more attacks from that side, with Luke Shaw/Alex Telles and Jadon Sancho.
Bruno’s main qualities are his key passes, quick thinking, chance creation, long shots and off the ball work rate. Since his Premier League debut, he has lead the Manchester United team in goals (35), assists (25), shots (230), chances created (201) and passes into the final third (1,438).
He always looks to find space around the penalty area to cause damage to the opponent. Here, Bruno drops between the lines in the 10 position to receive the ball from McTominay and drag the CB out.
