Fernandes is so watchable he stopped the walkout
FROM the moment he enjoyed several hugs in the Old Trafford tunnel before kick-off — mainly from Portuguese international team-mates in the Wolves side — Bruno Fernandes looked at home on his debut in new surroundings.
He looked a clearly gifted and intelligent midfield playmaker. The challenge for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be putting out 10 other United players good enough to be on his wavelength.
Most pleasing is his willingness to make an impact, something Sir Alex Ferguson always looked for. It was noticeable United’s first three shots on target came from the £68million signing, as did the first booking.
By also creating a feel-good factor that deterred the potential walkout from fans protesting the Glazer regime, Ed Woodward will feel Fernandes has already earned the first chunk of his transfer fee.
It says a lot for United’s current problems that he was received like the new Messiah by the Stretford End following his move from Sporting Lisbon. He has already got a catchy chant, the ‘Bruu-no’ one once reserved for big Frank, but expecting him to fix all of United’s creative and technical deficiencies is a lot of pressure for someone whose sole Champions League campaign ended in the group stages three years ago.
At least his arrival gives United hope at a time when even Woodward’s house has been targeted by extreme members of the fanbase. The roar that greeted his name being read out was in stark contrast to the toxicity of the previous Premier League game at Old Trafford against Burnley.
There were pleasing early signs from the newcomer who has shown confidence by taking Paul Scholes’ old No18 shirt.
Deployed in the No10 role in a 4-2-3-1 — he scored 51 goals in three seasons at Sporting — Fernandes showed hunger to get on the end of a one-two with Anthony Martial and took the ball from David de Gea at one stage before running with it to halfway and switching play. It was simple but assured and the Stretford End applauded.
Solskjaer has mentioned the player’s leadership qualities and there was evidence of that when he emphatically signalled to Fred to play a pass out to the right. Fred did what he was told and United were able to build an attack. The midfield pair enjoyed a lengthy conversation as they came out for the second half.
Having played 90 minutes last Monday night for Sporting before jetting over to sign on Thursday, there were no fitness issues throwing Fernandes straight in.
In terms of size, there is no comparison between United and Wolves, but Fernandes learned early on there is not a lot to choose between them. United bossed possession but Wolves had the first two shots on target. Fernandes struck a fee-kick from a promising position too firmly to the glee of travelling fans who chanted ‘What a waste of money’.
He responded with a decent shot that bent just past the post and then tested compatriot Rui Patricio for the first time from the edge of the box. However, it was noticeable that at times his excellent movement was not being read by his new team-mates. He found space on the edge of the penalty area but the pass never came.
Presumably Fernandes had been given license by Solskjaer to roam because his heat map showed he was popping up on the right and left. On occasions he dropped deeper in an attempt to dictate play. He is capable of passing between the lines but whether that is what Solskjaer will want is unclear. United fans will judge on goals, assists and creating chances.
In the second half the fans called for Bruu-no when United were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area. He took it and struck it well but too close to Patricio. His closest attempt came with arguably his weakest effort, a low drive from Harry Maguire’s pass that Patricio almost spilled.
The talked-about walkout after 68 minutes failed to materialise. If any fans left, it was a handful.
Fernandes understandably looked leggy in the closing stages. It was not a dream debut but he played well. However, the final result goes to show Bruu-no cannot be expected to do it all on own.