Bruno Fernandes: Man United ace reveals secret to incredible form

Fernandes has had a lower non-penalty expected goals (0.14) per 90 under caretaker manager Michael Carrick than under previous managers but is enjoying a higher expected assists (0.40). The Portuguese was deployed in a pivot role by former head coach Ruben Amorim earlier this season, before Carrick reinstated him in his favoured No. 10 position.

Fernandes outlined how the Englishman has given him more freedom to express himself, adding: “I float a lot in that zone there now with Michael [Carrick]. He doesn’t want me to just be stuck in the middle, so often asks me to find that pocket [of space].”

The Portuguese also explained why he has drifted more to the right, stating: “The outswing crosses are very dangerous. The inswing cross is much harder for them to head the ball as there’s less power on the ball normally and not as easy for them to put power on the ball when heading.”

Set-piece prowess

Fernandes has set up 10 goals from set pieces this season, just one short of Steven Gerrard’s record from the 2013/14 campaign. The Portuguese has been key to his team’s recent set-piece dominance, with only Arsenal (22) scoring more non-penalty set-piece goals than United (20) this season.

Fernandes went on to suggest that creating goals from set plays is actually a lot tougher than it looks, adding: “When we talk about set-pieces and needing to hit the ball in the right space, it’s sometimes harder than a standard pass. The way corners and free-kicks have been, my teammates ask me and demand where they want the ball. Sometimes I’m going to get it right, sometimes not so much.”

“I will tell you that five years ago, I would go to take a corner and just put the ball into the middle of the box and let’s see if someone gets it. And nowadays I have to hit a spot, so sometimes it’s even harder to get an assist from a set-piece than it actually is in open play.”

The importance of taking risks

Fernandes is often criticised for losing possession, but it is an outcome of his tendency to take risks, a trait he shares with some of the most creative players in the history of the beautiful game. The United skipper insists operating in the No. 10 position demands more risks, stating: “The position I play requires more risk than the other ones.”

“When you play in a team where you probably have to be the one to try and create chances more often than other players, you’re going to end up missing more opportunities and more chances than the others.”

The Portuguese has registered the most progressive passes under high pressure (91) in the Premier League this season. Fernandes further elaborated on the matter, adding: “It’s about putting the stats together with the eye test to understand why you missed that shot or a pass.”

“If I miss a pass trying to make something happen by playing the ball forward, I don’t mind it. Because if I don’t take that risk, I might miss eight out of 10, but I’ll get at least one right, and we win the game by that.”

Final Thoughts

Bruno Fernandes has created 114 chances in the Premier League this season, five short of his personal best from the 2022/23 campaign. Second on that list this season are Declan Rice and Dominik Szoboszlai (61), highlighting the gulf in class between the Portuguese and the rest of the league.

If United are to compete for the league next season, they must sort out their talismanic skipper’s future, especially since his current contract expires in just over a year.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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