Bruno Fernandes
IMAGE CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES
Bruno Fernandes is a rarity in today’s day and age.
Never one to cause problems off the pitch, instead propping teammates up and doing what he can as Manchester United captain even when faced with some of the most trying circumstances in the club’s recent history.
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After news broke that the Portuguese stalwart was staying at the club, fans started appreciating his attitude and worth even more and deservedly so.
One aspect of his game that is taken for granted is his fitness. There are never any injury worries with Fernandes which is remarkable when you bear in mind how much he plays for his club and country.
Taking a closer look at the numbers of his Nations League campaign more recognition should be given for the part Fernandes played.
Fitness
Five goal contributions in nine games, not to mention an inevitable penalty slotted home in the final.
His dependency to always be fit and ready in a football landscape that has more games than ever is exceptional.
Fernandes missed just one Nations League game vs Croatia where he was released by Roberto Martinez along with other high profile players.
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The games in the Nations league where the former Sporting CP attacker would have to drop deep and link up with Vitinha and Joao Neves meant he also had to contest a lot of duels and win tackles.
Against midfielders like Christian Norgaard, Leon Goretzka and Florian Wirtz he held his own physically.
It’s indicative to those United fans that claim he can not perform the role of playing as a deeper midfielder in the number eight position despite there being good examples that him along with maybe Casemiro are the only ones with the ability to play line-breaking passes.
Goal Threat
Be it with assists or goals, despite Portugal possessing the talent that they do, Fernandes played 90 minutes or more whenever needed as a starter.
The reason is clear because if he isn’t assisting or scoring, he’s forming part of Portugal’s build-up and releasing the wingers wide for them to cross to Cristiano Ronaldo.
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He has a very good understanding with the former Manchester United forward and knows exactly how the Portugal attack functions.
Versatility
It’s intriguing that Bruno Fernandes was in a midfield three for the final, it meant Portugal could facilitate two wingers and allow both Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto to attack Spain’s full-backs.
Ronaldo’s equaliser came from a deflected cross as Portugal could get the ball wide and then flood the box with men.
But it’s what Fernandes as a player can bring, it often feels like Portugal have an embarrassment of riches with a struggle as to how to best work all the moving pieces.
Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Neves and Fernandes are all brilliant midfielders, so it helps that out of the players listed, the Manchester United captain is the one that has experience of playing anywhere in both midfield and attack.
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Re-iterating the point that Portugal have plenty of options and they always turn to United’s captain as the man to count on.
Statistics
The statistics highlight him as one of the tournament’s most important players and best chance creators:
Most Chances Created: 3rd (22)
Assists: 9th (2)
Big Chances Created: 7th (4)
Expected Assists (xA): 3rd (3.0)
(taken from Fotmob)
It goes to show, in terms of a player providing attacking creativity, the situation is the same for club and country.
It isn’t always easy for players to translate their form for club as it is for the national team.
Pressure, different players to work with, different environment and less games to do it in are all factors.
But the Nations League tournament highlights that irrespective of whether it’s for Portugal or Manchester United, good players around him or bad, Bruno Fernandes always delivers.
Real Betis Antony
Real Betis Antony
FC Copenhagen Stadium named Parken
FC Copenhagen Stadium named Parken
Daniel Levy Tottenham Hotspur/Spurs owner
Daniel Levy Tottenham Hotspur/Spurs owner