Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has picked out a player from the club's past whom he couldn't help but have "a lot of fights" with
Manchester United Assistant Coach Mitchell van der Gaag looks on as Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has discussed his relationship with former coach Mitchell van der Gaag(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes isn't accustomed to taking things easy on the training ground. And his unmatched intensity would often lead to "fights" with former coach Mitchell van der Gaag.
Dutch tinkerer Van der Gaag was part of Erik ten Hag's administration following their time together at Ajax. However, he would often come to blows with United's captain over petty matters on the training field.
While other leader figures may be inclined to let certain decisions slide, Fernandes feels incapable of doing so. Not necessarily for his own personal gain, however, as he explained his awareness of how his actions impact the rest of the squad.
"I had a lot of fights with him about that," he told The Telegraph. "People already understood that, it’s not in a mean way, I just want to win. If I don’t put that into training, if I’m not that guy, the other ones will probably drop a bit the intensity.
"I know certain players, they look at me and need to see me alive to understand that I’m in the game. Sometimes I need to be that guy that puts the energy, that shouts, that does things for the other ones to become better because I can do that and still focus."
That commitment to the role of skipper illustrates Fernandes' ferocity and competitive edge. However, it also showcases the playful side of a man who has been critical in steering United through some dark days in recent years.
Of those, there have been plenty in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. And while pundits have called for leaders to stand and be accounted for at Old Trafford during that time, Fernandes has been happy to make himself known.
Bruno Fernandes during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground.
Fernandes knows how to let up in training but keeps intensity high for the sake of his team-mates(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Van der Gaag left United in July 2024 to pursue a more senior coaching position elsewhere. However, it wasn't until almost a year later that he was handed the reins at Zurich, a position he held for a little less than six months.
He ended up exiting Old Trafford at the right time, too, considering Ten Hag was fired only a few months after his own departure. Van der Gaag even coached United himself on one occasion in November 2023, steering the team to a 3-0 win at Everton while Ten Hag was suspended.
Whatever style of leadership Fernandes has employed at United to date, it appears to be paying dividends now. The Portugal playmaker has looked back to his best under Michael Carrick and is on course to break the record for Premier League assists in one season.
He currently has 17 to his name this term, seven more than any other player. He needs just four more from the final six games to break the record shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry (20).
One thing for certain is he'll be putting in the work on the training field to make that happen. And all signs suggest it's far easier being on Fernandes' side than against him, even when there's very little at stake.