Manchester United's season may be in critical condition, but with the revival of Bruno Fernandes, coach Ruben Amorim's team still has hope to survive.
Man United's disastrous campaign will depend on the Europa League for some savings. And thanks to the talent of captain Bruno Fernandes, the "Red Devils" have reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Man United won 4-1 at Old Trafford. A night that seemed to be filled with anxiety and tension ended in the festive atmosphere. This has been one of Man United's best performances under Amorim.
This victory was inspired by Bruno Fernandes and if he maintains both form and fitness, the Portuguese player can still take the team to the championship and qualify for the Champions League next season.
"We have talked about Bruno Fernandes many times. We know that he is very disappointing sometimes. We know he really wants to win, so when things don't go well, he changes positions and follows the ball.
Sometimes Bruno Fernandes needs to trust his teammates, but when we need him, he is always there. He can take the ball forward, he can score and he can defend. He is the perfect captain for our team and we need to help him win the championship" - Amorim said after the win over Real Sociedad.
Bruno Fernandes is enjoying his role as a saviour. With strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to score, the Portuguese midfielder has been directly involved in 11 of Man United's last 13 goals. Including a stunning free kick against Arsenal and against Sociedad, he continued to score 3 more goals.
First, the two penalties were taken calmly by Bruno Fernandes. Meanwhile, the third goal was an accurate finish by the midfielder. To end the match, Diogo Dalot sealed the result in extra time.
Bruno Fernandes received enthusiastic applause in the Old Trafford stands from fans. Without you, things could have been a lot different. Man United played poorly in the first 10 minutes of the match and conceded the 10th opening goal in 12 matches at Old Trafford when Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot.
Patrick Dorgu, who was signed from Lecce last month, has also played very well. Amorim's 3-4-3 system has looked much more harmonious since the Danish appeared.
Another winter signing from M.U, Ayden Heaven, has also impressed equally. The 18-year-old was signed as a first-team player, but it is unlikely that Amorim would have imagined using Heaven so early. Lisandro Martinez's injuries, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro gave Heaven an early chance - first against Arsenal and then against Sociedad.
In the end, Heaven seized the opportunity with both hands. Given the opportunity to play, this star showed strongness and agility in the 3-man left defense of the "Red Devils".
While Heaven and Dorgu are mainly signed by Man United for the future, the club's current situation depends heavily on Bruno Fernandes. In interviews this week, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said some of Man United's players were "paid too much and not good enough".
Bruno Fernandes is the only one to be recognized, described by the British billionaire as "an excellent player". He said that without Bruno Fernandes, things would be "really difficult".
Ratcliffe wants the Champions League revenue to kick off his plans to rebuild Man United. He needs money to support Amorim and the players and the funding for the new stadium will be announced this week. Therefore, he must thank Bruno Fernandes for giving Man United their only hope - the Europa League.
"Everyone knows I need time. But on the contrary, I am always in a hurry, always eager to win the title. I don't know if it's because of my age, but I think the board likes this quality of mine.
Because between me and the team's leadership, there is something in common, which is to win. Both sides are currently eager to win the championship. Man United just want to win a title, that's all" - the Portuguese strategist added.
