He was absolutely on another level for me, proved how good he can be when he’s being asked to tick it over rather than constantly having to try to make things happen.
Put him in a team that’s purrs and he’ll be incredible.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 47
- Goals
- 15
- Assists
- 12
- Yellow cards
- 12
Put him in a team that’s purrs and he’ll be incredible.
There was a passing triangle with Bruno, Shaw and Garnacho in the first half on the LW. It was beautiful. When the system is there, he can excel in possession. He was wasteful with his shots but his workrate prevented some bad situations.
Shame he missed the penalty but that’s always a risk with his style. Thought he had a very good game aside from that. That slide tackle near the end and then a chance was great to see. Always battling.
Apart from the penalty miss, again, he's applying himself as the standard others should try to emulate.
The man does not stop for a second.
Anyone who's played a game of football in his life knows how hard this is.
He's got the biggest engine of any player I've seen in a long long time.
He's thriwing in a fast paced modern football.
You can't ask him to be more calm and collected, he's Chaos himself.
Surround him like today, with players who run, and you get something else.
The man does not stop for a second.
Anyone who's played a game of football in his life knows how hard this is.
He's got the biggest engine of any player I've seen in a long long time.
He's thriwing in a fast paced modern football.
You can't ask him to be more calm and collected, he's Chaos himself.
Surround him like today, with players who run, and you get something else.
It's not just the stats that prove my point. The eye test tells me he's a quality creative midfielder.
What even is that point?
Because you play 5-a-side with your mates on a Monday evening, you're in a better position to comment on a footballers ability than others? Next you'll be telling me you can't comment on films unless you're an actor.Actors know more than you do about acting, that’s for sure.It's not just the stats that prove my point. The eye test tells me he's a quality creative midfielder.
What even is that point?
Indeed. Let's all pack up and go home then, as we'll leave the analysis for ex-pros like Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards who apparently offer wiser opinions than anyone on the caf.
I will never not scream at the tv or shout expletives at him after another dumb ball or possession loss but he will always amaze me with his work ethic and attitude.
Can we drop this idea now that it was reckless to give Rashford the pen the other week.
Was excellent today. What an engine. If Bruno could move with the ball better what a player he'd be.
Was excellent today. What an engine. If Bruno could move with the ball better what a player he'd be.
Nobody is saying everyone who has played football is a brilliant analyst. Just that you’re less likely to get a brilliant analyst who has never played the game at any level.
Anyway. I don’t care. This thread should be be only about giving Bruno the praise he deserves tonight.
Had a few moments where we had just recovered the ball from a counter attack, was open but instructed the ball player to play it around and keep possession while we recovered.
That to me is a part of his game I'd love to see more of rather than erratic passes.
Massive fan of his performance tonight, much more calm and composed outside of the corners.
That to me is a part of his game I'd love to see more of rather than erratic passes.
Massive fan of his performance tonight, much more calm and composed outside of the corners.
He’s class and his effort is superb
Really liked his performance tonight. No goals or assists and even missed a penalty, but it's not all about the stats and he was really good.
Career (in-match) penalty record is now marginally below Rashford’s:
50/56 (89.3%) vs 17/19 (89.5%)
Will be dead equal if Bruno takes and converts the next one.
50/56 (89.3%) vs 17/19 (89.5%)
Will be dead equal if Bruno takes and converts the next one.
He was excellent tonight, more of that please.
Needs a rest.
No he doesn't, he's the type of player that functions best playing all the time, the players in our squad that need a rest are Martial and Rashford
Recovered well from the penalty miss. Didn't let it affect his mentality and played brilliantly offensively and defensively. Some of those late sliding tackles. 
Love him. He goes through bad spells at times but he never hides or gives up. Always available, always fighting teeth and nails. Quality player.
A good big[ger] game performance from Fernandes last night. That’s the type of stuff we need to see frequently.
There were a lot more sequences yesterday where he was making simply lay offs and passes rather than first time Hollywood balls and our team/play was much better for it.
I can always tell he’s had a world class performance when I open this thread and there isn’t “See Ignored Content” at the bottom of it.
Much much prefer the Bruno of the last few games. Much more disciplined performances even thought he was okay against Newcastle . I almost feel like anytime Keane or someone criticises him he pulls out 3 or 4 really good and controlled displays before then reverting to type. By the end of the game had forgotten and forgiven that shite penalty.
He’s played as an 8 in last night game, and that’s actually his best position contrary to popular belief. He gives the ball away far less when occupying a slighter deeper position and he’s far better player with the ball at his feet in the opposing teams half ?
Yesterday some of the give and go’s involving Bruno were a joy to behold, he dictated play, linked up and created chances, his penalty was awful however and he still needs to be more clinical with his shooting ?
Yesterday some of the give and go’s involving Bruno were a joy to behold, he dictated play, linked up and created chances, his penalty was awful however and he still needs to be more clinical with his shooting ?
I thought the issue was more about the ball placement than the run-up itself
I wonder wether not having Rashford to try to hit makes a difference? That was more the type of performance that I personally like to see. Not spamming but measured and controlled. Excellent. Not sure if it added to his XA for the season but that is the point…
He actually played very very well and nobody needs to pretend or use stats because they don’t matter ultimately. He played to pass to Garnacho and Garnacho got the assist and when players are more measured then the stats spread through the team.
Much better.
He actually played very very well and nobody needs to pretend or use stats because they don’t matter ultimately. He played to pass to Garnacho and Garnacho got the assist and when players are more measured then the stats spread through the team.
Much better.
Unbelievable energy, that he runs and harries as fast in the 90th minute as he does the first is crazy. His defensive work was really good, even making some critical tackles in defence (that snag in the last few minutes was brilliant!).
Still some incredibly frustrating passing attempts though.
Still some incredibly frustrating passing attempts though.
Can he do a Modric and play at the highest level till 36-37 in that slightly advanced 8-role? He's got that lean body that can run forever - quick enough, but not reliant on big muscle fibers or a heavy frame. He glides across the pitch, up and down with such ease and never looks exhausted.
Great game yesterday - more composed but still creative.
Great game yesterday - more composed but still creative.
I was interested in what the pass completion % would be, that's surely his highest for a while? Seemed to be playing a much more disciplined style, I can't actually recall a single silly hollywood pass all game. Superb off the ball too. Would say it was his best performance of the season despite no goal/assist.
Yeah but that might be connected with us pushing many people up relatively high all game. There simply weren't many players much further up front to pass to. Not trying to take something away from him, we know he thrives in a bit of chaos and that high pressing style is creating such an environment.
Doesn't matter. Imagine the position we are in when he gets an injury... We need to give him time-outs every once in a while, some players have to saved from themselves to a degree.
Yep I was thinking the same thing. Might have been the overall approach yesterday as well. When so many of the attackers are pushing high those longballs are usually not on. And when they are not attempted, the pass completion is going up as well.
Lets hope this trend solidifies, I am a bit worried to overstate the meaning of yesterdays match because it was a risky approach even if it worked out.
We sadly don't have the foresight to see what an opportune time it will be to sell him this upcoming European summer. He's at his peak, has 2 seasons left on his contract after this one and I'm sure he'll have a great Euros.
His tackle on Broja at the end was so nonchalant and brilliant
Yeah, let’s sell our best player at his peak. That will obviously make us a much better team…
This is true, it did feel like we were camped out in their half for long periods. Takes away the madness from his play a bit, especially having the fullbacks pushed up and Amarabat, as limited as he is, as a DM sitting deeper.
To be fair, people have wanted us to be more like those cool talent factory clubs that sell their best players for a profit and never win anything
Couple cool ball recoveries, couple bozo moments in possession.
Worked hard
Worked hard
Apart from one pointless cross he did because we had no one in the box, he was immense. Even with the crossess that didn't reach the target, you could see why you opted for them so cant blame him.
The supposed 2nd best player sat on the bench yesterday. So theres that. Also lets just stop indicating that the majority of critics is having the position of "just sell Bruno - see us improve". That isn't the case. I personally wouldn't try to sell him next summer but there is a certain rationale behind it. The chance of him improving at this point is relatively low. The chance of him holding his level are there but it is far from dead certain. If we keep him, we will offer him big wages (not saying he doesn't deserve to). Additionally now (next summer) might be the only time to get some serious money for him which could be invested into a younger player who will be part of Uniteds future.
Not saying that means it would be the smartest idea to get rid now but I also wouldn't shrug this idea off too non-chalantly. His current season isn't great even if he played well last night. We have seen these team upticks every once in a while. Just look at Real and Casemiro, sometimes it makes sense to cash in when possible. It simply wouldn't be wise to throw options off the table at this point. If yesterdays performance was a reset for him as a player and he will finish the season strong and well then obviously we will have a different debate in the summer.