The international break is not always good, especially for Manchester United where injuries seem to have become a running theme.
However, this time, it provided a welcome reprieve for players struggling at Old Trafford and play and flourish in a different environment.
Players like Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee have taken full advantage of this opportunity, playing key roles for Morocco and the Netherlands respectively.
Add Bruno Fernandes‘ name to that list, who has continued his usual sterling Portugal form in their latest game vs Scotland.
Bruno Fernandes vs Scotland
This Nations League game was essential viewing for Manchester United fans as Bruno Fernandes came up against the Scott McTominay, the free-scoring phenomenon they cashed in on this summer.
Diogo Dalot started on the bench so that was one factor in the background and from a United POV, the game did not disappoint.
McTominay scored the shock opening goal in just the 6th minute, putting Portugal on the backfoot and chasing the game.
In the second half, Fernandes, playing on his 30th birthday and 600th career game, came alive, scoring off a Rafael Leao assist to bring his team level.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late winner to get the win for Portugal in a game where Fernandes was at his breathtaking best, as is becoming the norm in national team colours for him.
The Portuguese media couldn’t stop raving about the player who’s quickly become their talisman not named Ronaldo.
How the Portuguese press reacted to Bruno Fernandes’ performance
The general consensus on his performance was that he is clearly Portugal’s most influential player after Cristiano Ronaldo, who will probably rule the roost till the day he retires.
Lance.com.br called him the “maestro of the night” in Lisbon, waxing lyrical about his contribution vs Scotland.
Mais Futebol wrote: “There’s not much to say about the quality of this Sunday’s birthday boy, who turned 30. Bruno Fernandes was everywhere and gave Portugal a gift in the form of a goal.”
RTP credited him with “waking up” Portugal, with his goal providing the thrust for their attacks which eventually led to the winner. They wrote: “And it was the birthday boy of the day, in the 600th game of his career, now celebrating his 30th birthday, who decided with an accurate shot in the central area from outside the box. From that moment on, Portugal woke up.”
Abola showed the bigger picture to prove how important Fernandes has been to the national side, especially since the change of manager: “Since Roberto Martinez took over as manager, the Manchester United midfielder has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 20 appearances for the national team.”
This was Portugal’s last game on the international break and Fernandes will now return to United with a few days rest, ready to go for the league resuming on September 14.
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