After the first two matches of the season, it was clear that something had to change drastically at Manchester United. Four games later, it is safe to say something has changed.
It was symbolic of United’s struggles in recent years that they had impressed during meaningless pre-season matches and immediately crumbled at the first signs of pressure, falling victims to their own hype after a successful summer schedule. When it came to actually fighting for points, Erik ten Hag’s side were blown away, lost for ideas, and lacking leadership.
But if anything it was a blessing in disguise. Ten Hag had dodged some of his bigger summer decisions, sticking with a goalkeeper who didn’t obviously fit his style and backing the out-of-form Harry Maguire to keep the captaincy.
READ MORE: Ten Hag is managing squad like Mourinho did
By half-time of their second match of the campaign this was all torn apart. The new season had transformed into open season and Ten Hag wasn’t blameless from the mess he had overseen.
In response he finally made some big calls. David de Gea had to remain in goal given there was no viable alternative at the club, but he did have replacements for Maguire and the wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo. He hasn’t looked back since.
United ran the risk of losing even more leadership and direction on the pitch without two of their most influential players but in their absence Bruno Fernandes has stepped up to the plate, taking the armband and spearheading his side’s attacking play.
In the four games since the Portuguese midfielder took over as captain United have won each time, but, perhaps most importantly, Fernandes has been pivotal in each victory.
He was the beating heart of the Liverpool win, scored the only goal at Southampton, was instrumental at Leicester and once again dictated the play to beat Arsenal last weekend.
The 27-year-old is somewhat a victim of his own success at Old Trafford, given he is often compared to his unsustainable output of direct goal contributions in his first 18 months at the club. As a result, if he doesn’t score or grab an assist in a match now he is often deemed to have underperformed, when in reality, his best performances of late have come when he has done everything but that.
This season he has just one goal and one assist from six appearances, but is playing the best football of the calendar year, and finally justifying the ill-timed contract extension he was given back in April.
His influence as a captain was perhaps best summed up in the aftermath of the disallowed Arsenal goal, as Fernandes led the protests in a dignified yet demanding manner, explaining to Paul Tierney why the goal couldn’t be awarded after the referee had given a foul for a similar push by Scott McTominay earlier the game.
Last year, he and Ronaldo were both accused of ‘whinging’ by Gary Neville, a complaint many opposition supporters have with the Portuguese pair, who aren’t afraid to show their emotions during matches.
At times such an approach can seem detrimental to the way in which United are trying to operate, but since being given the armband Fernandes has done so with a lot more maturity and appears to be relishing the extra responsibility bestowed upon him.
His own transformation from a goal gluttonous midfielder to a talismanic team player is in itself evidence of the mentality shift since Ten Hag arrived at the club this summer, and an endorsement of his ability to adapt for the greater good of the team.
Fernandes isn't just playing like a captain, he's acting like one too.
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