We're not the only ones who've noticed that Manchester United's fortunes turned around exactly when Bruno Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford. Given Ed Woodword's woeful form as a talent spotter, fans were right to be cynical about the price tag attached to the Portuguese midfielder, but Fernandes has been a classy presence both on and off the field.
His deft back heel in setting up Anthony Martial's third goal last night was just further proof of his brilliance.
Marking our return to OT with a big W 🤩#MUFC #MUNSHU pic.twitter.com/lhqqmW08Xj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 24, 2020
United fans are in raptures about the signing:
Bruno Fernandes eh? Proper footballer this lad. United’s best signing post Ferguson in my book. pic.twitter.com/4EKfgziPYx
— Gary Thompson (@gary302) June 25, 2020
BRUNO FERNANDES transformed Manchester United.
What a player!— Tosin AKINGBA™ (@venusakingba) June 24, 2020
Bruno has yet to lose in the red shirt! #mufc pic.twitter.com/f1MME3NFBm
— Red Army! (@RedorDead07) June 24, 2020
Fernandes's brilliance goes beyond technical ability. In the last 24 hours, we've received legitimate certification in Bruno's measure as a man. As part of a fascinating and wide-ranging interview with Danny Taylor of The Athletic, Stephen Ireland revealed that Fernandes worshipped the Cobhman when he was in his pomp in the late noughties.
Bruno Fernandes had Stephen Ireland posters up on his wall as a kid. That is all I needed to hear today. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/HMwhtFygue
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) June 24, 2020
Apparently, Fernandes currently lives three doors down from Ireland and enjoys kickabouts with Ireland's kids. Ireland said:
“He told me that, as a kid, he had a poster of me. He said that when he played Football Manager he always signed me.
“I was like, ‘You had me on a poster? And, seriously, you sign me for Football Manager?’ I mean, how weird is that?”
It's a bit weird and a bit unbelievable, but it's proof ultimately that Fernandes is an original thinker. Equally interesting is Fernandes's desire to share this story with Ireland, and befriend him and his family. You can see the boost that this endorsement gave to Ireland - he's suddenly talking about getting international caps again.
Meanwhile, Fernandes is constantly using his social media platforms to dish out love for his teammates. In the last 24 hours alone, he's praised Anthony Martial on his first United hat-trick and Juan Mata for his 250th United appearance and sent solace to Jeremy Mathieu upon his forced retirement.
Bruno Fernandes Ig: “Congratulations little magician 🎩 @juanmata8” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/JIUAzYzPhW
— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) June 24, 2020
+3 💪🏻 Congratulations on your first hat-trick @AnthonyMartial wearing the @ManUtd jersey 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/qRGAynR30f
— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) June 24, 2020
🇵🇹✨| Bruno Fernandes posts a heartfelt message on Instagram to Jérémy Mathieu following his retirement.
Calls him the best CB he’s had as a team mate,
“Two and a half years seeing the magic come out of your boots...He is a CB with the quality of a 10 and the speed of a winger” pic.twitter.com/dLg0mC8E1C— Próxima Jornada (@ProximaJornada1) June 25, 2020
With some players, this kind of positivity feels forced and canned. But with Fernandes, it comes across as authentic. He plays with the same honesty. It's no wonder United are unbeaten since he arrived at the club.
