Fernandes and Ighalo pull strings for United
Odion Ighalo got off the mark for Manchester United with a poignant first goal for the club, but there is no doubting the new trend-setter at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes gave the kind of performance that restores hope where not so long ago there was despair, already claiming two goals and two assists in his first four appearances since his £47 million transfer.
For Ighalo, it was an evening of emotion, as he paid tribute to his late sister, Mary Atole, who passed away in December aged 43. The Nigerian striker struck United’s second with Brugge already condemned following the early dismissal of centre-half Simon Deli for an ill-timed audition for keeper Simon Mignolet’s jersey.
Ighalo’s celebration revealed his late sister’s image on a T-shirt.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrilled to see his striker trending for the right reasons after the recent, bizarre eulogies from his executives about the digital fingerprints when the ex-watford man signed.
“As a fellow striker, I know how important that first goal is,” said the manager. “You can see what Ighalo does. He sniffs goals, getting in there where it sometimes hurts.”
As Ighalo accepted his applause with what looked like a prayer, it was United’s other January recruit, Fernandes, who set the tone of the evening. There were still 25 minutes left when Solskjaer opted to preserve the Portuguese midfielder for Sunday’s trip to Everton, United’s place in the last 16 of the Europa League already secure after outclassing the Belgian side. It was a reflection of Fernandes’s instant importance and seniority in this line-up.
It all began with the first flick to Ighalo on the right touchline, which sold most of the crowd a dummy as much as Brugge’s defenders and had the Stretford End swooning. The mood music was set. This was Fernandes’s gig, to which everyone else was invited to provide the accompaniment.
It is no coincidence United played in a higher gear than at any time this season, albeit a more visible attacking threat was initially matched by defensive vulnerabilities. There could have been five goals in the opening 15 minutes. The problem is that Brugge should have scored two of them.
The evening might have taken a different complexion had David Okereke and Mats Rits showed more composure, the latter volleying over with Sergio Romero exposed.
Instead, the tie irreversibly swung in United’s favour courtesy of Deli’s aberration, leading to a penalty awarded in the 22nd minute but inexplicably converted in the 26th.
Fernandes was inevitably involved, cleverly finding Juan Mata whose goal-bound strike prompted the acrobatic save from the defender. It would not have been a much clearer red card had the Ivorian caught the ball, bounced it a few times and then bowled it to his winger to start a counter-attack.
Not so obvious according to Uefa’s video assistant refereeing system. Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk – perfectly placed to see the trajectory of Mata’s shot – was summoned to the sidelines for another look. There was a familiar sense of farce as Deli waited in vain for a reprieve.
Worse, Fernandes was made to wait four minutes and 30 seconds before given the green light to beat former Liverpool keeper Mignolet. Fernandes’ gorgeous chipped pass to Mata on 34 minutes allowed the Spaniard to tee-up Ighalo for his tap-in, before Scott Mctominay added a third before half-time.
United were able to ease through the second half, but added two more in the last eight minutes, Fred underlining his recent improvement. His first on 82 minutes was a tap-in, but he picked his spot in injury time to complete the win.
“I was not sure I would ever see him score again,” joked Solskjaer.
The Norwegian was beaming as he marched towards the tunnel at full-time. Those who witnessed the promising early performances of Anthony Martial and Angel di Maria – the last United signings to have such an instant impact – may preach caution before declaring Fernandes the game-changing creative force United crave.
But this was further compelling evidence United have signed a gem.
“Bruno coming in makes a big difference. You can see he has a hand in all three goals, so very happy with the contribution,” said the manager. “He’s fit and in good form. We felt he was something we needed and it proves it. It is a readymade position for him.”
United can finally see a glimpse of a positive future in the shape of the figure in the No 18 jersey. Manchester United