“Bruno, Bruno, Bruno, came from Sporting like Cristiano,” is the opening line of the chant for Bruno Fernandes, affectionately known as “Our Portuguese Magnifico,” by Manchester United supporters. They can now change the song to mention Ruben Amorim, who, after Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Marcos Rojo, and Fernandes, is the most recent player to follow the well-traveled route from the Estadio Jose Alvalade to Old Trafford.
Amorim joined United during a goal-scoring comeback for the United captain, who has scored five goals in his past five club and national team appearances. Since Erik’s dismissal, Fernandes has been given free reign after failing to score in the season’s first 13 games.
He scored twice in the Carabao Cup opener against Leicester under interim manager Ruud van, netted a penalty against Chelsea, and then fired in from outside the box to help the team defeat the Foxes 3-0. He also set up the second goal in that match, which Kristiansen gave away as an own goal. He carried his newly found self-assurance into the internationals with Portugal, hitting a vicious shot off the bar against Poland.
Fans are enthusiastic about the possibility of Fernandes spearheading the team’s attack under his compatriot and propelling the squad to an exciting new future because of his unstoppable form in front of goal, which is a throwback to the amazing start he made when he joined United. Amorim’s arrival, nevertheless, coincides with Fernandes’ transition into a more significant midfield role and his vision of himself controlling the team’s overall play rather than being the team’s goal scorer.
However, Amorim’s system, which consists of two narrow wide forwards and two defensive-minded midfielders, appears to be at odds with that concept. One of the most intriguing elements of what is expected to be an exciting new era at the team will be how Fernandes fits into the coach’s plans.
Making himself a target
Since joining United from Sporting CP less than five years ago, Fernandes has worked with six different coaches, including Amorim. Although he played somewhat distinct roles with each coach, he spent the most time working with Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag. Fernandes arrived at United at the end of January 2020 to find a club that had dropped three of its previous four Premier League games and was sagging in seventh place following a lackluster goalless debut.
Fernandes became the League player of the month for February after rapidly improving their level. He was in a hot streak just when football was suspended by the epidemic but when it resumed in June he was even more prolific.He contributed 14 goals and eight assists in all competitions in half a season, inspiring them to finish third in the table and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Europa League. From the day of his debut, United took more points than any Premier League team – even runaway champions Liverpool. Fernandes was named the Sir Matt Busby player of the year despite playing just half a season and he retained that award the following season, when he was even more prolific, notching 28 goals plus 17 assists.
Fernandes looked set for another incredible campaign when he bagged a hat-trick (all from open play) in the opening game of the 2021-22 season against Leeds, but the arrival of Ronaldo disrupted his flow and eventually the team’s too. He scored just seven more times in all competitions that season, ending on 10 league goals, while United slumped to their worst points total in Premier League history after sacking Solskjaer in November, with Michael Carrick and then Ralf Rangnick taking the reins.
The team’s fortunes improved in Ten Hag’s first campaign but Fernandes posted just eight league goals, his lowest amount since the 2016-17 season with Sampdoria. Last season, he went four months without a Premier League goal and more than five without one from open play. He was still a vital player, but his role had changed and he was often blamed for the team’s dismal results. Speaking last November, he said his stunning start had ended up working against him.
“I know since I arrived at the club my numbers made myself a target so not keeping the same numbers on goals and assists is sometimes a problem for me,” he stated. “Everything was great in the beginning because, when you get to the first game, if you do anything different from what everyone else is doing, it will all be roses. However, I later realized that the difficult part is always ahead.
