Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have both praised the attacking role that Bruno Fernandes adopted in Manchester United’s 2-1 comeback win against Crystal Palace.
Bruno Fernandes has been playing as the No 10 for Manchester United since the return of interim head coach Michael Carrick to Old Trafford in January.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain has seen his attacking influence restored under Michael Carrick, having played in a deeper role under Ruben Amorim this season.
Fernandes played an instrumental role in United’s second-half comeback performance against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
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Referee Chris Kavanagh interacts with Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Gary Lineker and Micah Richards react to Bruno Fernandes’ impact for Man Utd in the Crystal Palace match
Bruno Fernandes pulled Manchester United level in the second half against Crystal Palace after he beat former teammate Dean Henderson from the spot-kick.
The Portugal international cancelled out Maxence Lacroix’s first-half opener before Fernandes haunted Palace again after his role in Man Utd’s winner on the day.
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Fernandes crossed a superb ball into the Palace box from the right and the in-form Benjamin Sesko drilled a low header past an outstretched Dean Henderson.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards felt that the United and Portugal midfielder was the catalyst that sparked the Red Devils’ comeback win.
“I thought in the game, like you said, Gaz [Gary Lineker], it was quite sluggish,” he said.
“I didn’t think they thought they could just turn up, but the passing was a little bit slow.
“But when Bruno Fernandes gets a grip of that game, and he talked about spaces and where he goes, he’s so clever.”
Gary Lineker then added: “He’s everywhere.”
Responding to Lineker, Richards continued: “Yeah, but when he crosses, he goes sort of inside left channel.
“He doesn’t try and go in the middle. He sees where everyone is, and then he always uses his full-back or his winger, and then they play back to him, where he’s got that time to cross.
“Like, you mentioned the goal, but if you actually look at his positioning, and we’re talking about people getting back into position and defensive line, he’s always scanning about where the best place is to be, where he can affect the game.”
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Gary Lineker and Micah Richards’ praise for Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd impact against Crystal Palace speaks volumes
Lineker was blown away by the footballing IQ of Fernandes, who has scored twice and registered five assists in Michael Carrick’s seven-match interim reign so far.
Speaking to Richards, he said: “You see him on the right wing. You see him on the left wing. You see him [everywhere]. I mean, he’s incredible. What a brain.”
Richards insisted that Lineker’s assessment sounded “simple,” but Fernandes was hitting another high level of standard with his shift in United’s 2-1 win on Sunday.
“Yeah, but it sounds really simple,” he added.
“Well, of course, a player who’s played in number 10 could go everywhere, but if you look at other people’s performances when they’re trying to get on the ball, they’re just trying to get on the ball in between the lines.
“There’s no space there, but Bruno just goes everywhere where he can get half a yard to put in a great delivery.
“And he’s just an outstanding player, one of the players of the season so far.”
Fernandes has netted seven times and registered 14 assists for Man Utd in 27 matches across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
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