Solskjaer’s former United assistant Mike Phelan defends Bruno Fernandes

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Mike Phelan was a pundit on television coverage of Manchester United’s win over Tottenham last night and was asked about Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno got his first Premier League goal of the season in the 2-0 victory, capping off United’s best performance under Erik ten Hag.

That should quieten some of the criticism which has been coming his way after a lower output of goals and assists this season.

On Stadium Astro, Phelan gave his insight into Bruno, saying he is often misjudged by others, but also that he can be wasteful in possession.

Phelan on Fernandes

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former United assistant said: “The manager’s confidence is obviously with him. Bruno realises his assists for him are as important as his goalscoring. He’s adapting his game a little bit to a different role. He’s an honest boy and he will know he can do more.

“The one thing he never does is shirk his responsibilities. He will always be available to take the ball under pressure. His confidence is always there. I think sometimes he is misjudged because he has a creative mind. He wants to be the player who makes the goal quite often.

“He is wasteful sometimes when he could be simpler. People start to find a fault in that. Without that imagination and creativity and the opportunity to play balls forward, you won’t get the goals you expect from Manchester United.

“When you play in the middle, the options are mindset are different. To try and be creative, you will make mistakes. Bruno will be the first one to admit that. He can do more on the ball and he has been very wasteful at times but he will admit that.”

Bruno is such a big part of this United side, with his energy in midfield and constant desire to create something from midfield.

As Phelan eludes to, no other United players are trying to be as creative as him, and you can see that burden sometimes pushes him to try hugely ambitious passes which do not come off.

Christian Eriksen being in the team does tend to help with that and of course if United get more clinical in front of goal, Bruno’s assists tally should go up.

Fernandes has also captained the side for much of the season in the absence of Harry Maguire, and has taken to that responsibility like a duck to water.