Gary Lineker has raved about the resurgence of Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United skipper’s performance against Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes’ influence was restricted earlier in the 2025-26 campaign after Ruben Amorim committed to a position change with the Manchester United captain.
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The 31-year-old United midfielder was dropped into the two-man pivot under Ruben Amorim’s polarising tactics and played alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Fernandes’ attacking output on the pitch was limited under former Sporting CP and United manager Amorim, who was sacked by the Premier League club last month.
However, Michael Carrick has since released the shackles that had held Fernandes back and the Red Devils skipper has been returned to an advanced position.
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Bruno Fernandes applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Gary Lineker’s bold Man Utd prediction for Bruno Fernandes after Michael Carrick’s return to Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes has been playing as the No 10 under Michael Carrick’s tactics for Manchester United and has impressed in his last three Premier League matches.
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The Portugal ace has linked up superbly well with Bryan Mbeumo in the attacking set-up and Fernandes has picked up four assists since Carrick’s reign started.
Gary Lineker admitted that Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have impressed him in the 2025-26 season after their arrivals from Brentford and Wolves respectively.
Should Manchester United keep Bruno Fernandes this summer, or is the time right to sell for big money?
Bruno Fernandes roars in celebration
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The 65-year-old ex-England striker said that neither Mbeumo nor Matheus Cunha could challenge for the ‘FWA Footballer of the Year’ like Fernandes could this season.
“And yeah, they have got some talent in that squad, and the two signings, Cunha and Mbeumo, I think they’ve settled in very well,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“Bruno is now playing a little bit further forward. He got himself a couple of assists.
“And I was talking actually earlier on with the lads, and talking about who are the frontrunners for ‘Footballer of the Year.’
“I mean, it’s the 1st of February. It’s a little bit early, but if Manchester United continue to go really well, and Bruno, I mean, he’s two more assists today.”
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Fernandes bagged a brace of assists on Sunday afternoon, with Man Utd defeating Fulham in a dramatic 3-2 Premier League result at Old Trafford.
Lineker said that the open competition for the Footballer of the Year prize for the 2025-26 season means a scintillating run from Fernandes could see him scoop the award.
Who is your Man Of The Match in Manchester United’s 3-2 win vs Fulham?
Casemiro celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
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“That’s five goals and 12 assists in the Premier League,” he added.
“Who else would you think so? Obviously, [Erling] Haaland, if he starts scoring again, which he will.”
“Declan Rice, I was going to say as well. Gabriel. At the back, he’s a fantastic defender.
“So, there’s no-one obvious at the moment, but he’s a bloody good footballer, you know, Bruno Fernandes.”
Man Utd ace Fernandes has netted five times and registered 13 assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils in the 2025-26 campaign.
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