Manchester United are limping through this season but even in bad moments, leaders emerge and Bruno Fernandes has been exactly that.
Bruno Fernandes’ rescue act vs Ipswich was his latest in a long line of the same, the Portuguese creating three goals from devilish set-piece deliveries.
It’s why Man Utd fans leapt to his defence when Roy Keane got into a rant criticising Fernandes but as it stands, he’s not the only one emerged from this wretched season with some credit to his name.
After Amad’s season-ending injury ruled him out of contention, there’s a third player who’s giving Ruben Amorim exactly what he wants by putting the rest of Europe to shame.
Ruben Amorim’s ideal player at Man Utd
When Amorim talks about his team and his requirements of the players, there’s a running theme that keeps coming up which is “intensity”.
Intensity in defending, attacking, running, or just the general feeling of how they conduct themselves through a game.
“Running like mad dogs” has been his biggest demand and that hasn’t always been heeded to by the player, except one, who’s setting standards alongside Bruno Fernandes.
That someone is Manuel Ugarte, the serial ball-winner in midfield who’s become an untouchable.
Ugarte was impressive against Ipswich as well, with his leadership qualities coming to the fore when he whipped up the crowd as United tried to secure their lead.
That remains the intangible but his impact is clear in stats as well, since he’s putting everyone in the top-five European leagues to shame with remarkable numbers.
Manuel Ugarte leads Europe despite Man Utd struggles
Ugarte came to United as someone who runs his socks off and wins the ball back, adding much-needed intensity to an ailing midfield.
After some early troubles, he’s done exactly that and now that impact is becoming impossible to ignore by the stat markets as well.
Statman Dave recently posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Ugarte is now averaging more tackles + interceptions per minute (5.90) than any other midfielder in Europe’s top-five leagues this season.
Sometimes, stats don’t tell the full story and can be used to conveniently push a narrative that clashes with the eye test.
In this case, it only lends credible support to what Man Utd fans have watched every game. They finally have a Roy Keane-esque figure at Old Trafford in terms of playing style, if not personality.
That will come too as the team becomes more successful and confident in itself.
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