MANCHESTER United never looked like scoring until Bruno Fernandes struck a freekick over the Arsenal wall and past David Raya. Of course, this was a familiar story for the Old Trafford outfit. While only a handful of Premier League tames have scored fewer goals than United this season, Fernandes continues to deliver.

The Portuguese is Manchester United’s only genuine, reliable difference-maker. In the same game that Fernandes struck his 12th goal of the season, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee all spurned opportunities to find the back of the net. More often than not it’s up to Fernandes to provide a cutting edge.

It’s not unreasonable to suggest that without Fernandes United would have been sucked into a relegation scrap this season. Even with Fernandes, they got closer to the bottom three than any other Manchester United team has in the Premier League era. The 30-year-old is the only reason they can be sure of their top-flight status right now.

Fernandes’ goals and assists this season have been worth 10 points for Manchester United. Without his contribution, Ruben Amorim’s team would be just seven points off the relegation places and this doesn’t even account for Fernandes’ all-round play which has surely helped United to better results over the course of the campaign.

Amorim has repeatedly chopped and changed his attacking line since arriving at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in November, but there has always been a place for Fernandes. He is Manchester United’s best creator and finisher as proven by the fact he leads the club for goals and assists this season. At times, United are a one-man team. 

While Fernandes is sometimes criticised for his petulance and body language, few could argue Manchester United need more players with the 30-year-old’s relentless drive to win. He might not be a traditional captain in the way he carries himself, but Fernandes leads by example. He’s pretty much alone in that regard at United right now.

“We need more Brunos, that is clear,” said Amorim after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday. “It’s not just the quality and the character. He makes some mistakes but he is so decisive with and without the ball. He steps up all the time. He can show some frustration in some moments that can hurt him more than everyone. I understand that. He wants to win. But he is always available, can play in different positions and when we need a goal and an assist he is always there.”

Manchester United are at a critical crossroads in their modern history. This season has been a disaster with the Red Devils an astonishing 36 points off Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. For much of the campaign, they have been closer to relegation trouble than Champions League qualification. Amorim is toiling to get his ideas across. 

However, United hope the struggles they are experiencing now will help them build for a better future. They have a core of talented youngsters – see Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, for example – and are implementing a style of play under Amorim that is still taking root. 

At 30, Fernandes can’t wait for a brighter future. He has lost the best years of his career to the chaos of the last few years at Manchester United. If things are to improve at Old Trafford, it’s possible it will come too late for Fernandes, but United will have a lot to thank the Portuguese for. He might just have kept his team in the league this season. 

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