Patrice Evra has suggested that Bruno Fernandes needs to be the main man in the team in order to operate successfully, something he couldn't do while Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United.
The Portugal international had been the most creative Premier League player by the end of October, but several United fans were unhappy with his final goals and assists output at the start of the season.
Fernandes netted twice and assisted three more goals at the World Cup amidst the controversial exit of countryman Ronaldo from United. The superstar had been accused of stifling the progress of teammates since his return in August 2021.
READ MORE: United vs Everton LIVE
According to some, Fernandes was one of these, pointing to his final third contributions over the last 18 months. He had scored two and assisted two in 19 games before flying out to Qatar but recorded a goal and three assists in the five matches after Ronaldo’s departure.
Evra said that the whole United team looks to be in a happier place and mooted that Fernandes’ increase in output is down to his need to have a domineering status in the side.
Speaking to Betfair, he said: “I don't want to talk about the past, but you can see that the team and Ten Hag are happy, all the negativity around the club with the Cristiano Ronaldo case and everything else, that's gone now.
“Suddenly, it feels as if [Erik] ten Hag is doing his work without distraction. People talk a lot about how it impacts Ten Hag but I'm sure the players also feel more free and they don't have that heavy discussion about Ronaldo surrounding them.”
He added: “I always give the example of Bruno Fernandes, the fans were criticising him saying he wasn't performing the way he used to when he signed. This isn't a negative on Ronaldo, but Bruno Fernandes can only perform when he's the real boss.
“You can look at every game when he didn't play with Eriksen or Ronaldo and that's when we know it's the real Fernandes.
“I told him face to face after a game, he told me that wasn't the case and he can play with everyone, but I don't think that's true. I always say, when you go to see an orchestra there's only one conductor.”
READ NEXT:
