United star Bruno Fernandes named in BBC team of the week
Bruno Fernandes has been named in the BBC Sport team of the week, following his brace in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Captaining the side, United’s number 18 buzzed around Villa Park and picked up an array of different positions, which enabled him to get on the ball and bring an element of calmness, as well as purpose to our play.
After blazing a last-gasp penalty over the bar against the Villains at Old Trafford in September, the Portuguese international was delighted to see his long-range effort spill through Emiliano Martinez’s grasp to give United the lead.
The Portuguese international claimed his and United’s second goal on the night after latching onto a pass from Fred and smashing the ball past Martinez, via the crossbar.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
With 25 minutes to go, it looked like Ralf Rangnick’s Reds were on course to pick up an impressive three points.
But we capitulated and buckled to the mounting pressure Steven Gerrard’s side were putting us under.
Nevertheless, Fernandes’ return to form was a pleasing sight and it didn’t go unnoticed by BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks, who similar to Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, felt the 27-year-old was “back to his best”.
Crooks named Fernandes in his Premier League team of the week and labelled United’s opening 60 minutes as the “best hour of football” he had seen from the side for “some time”.
Crooks said: “His first goal was fortuitous but his second was beautiful. The move and the finish was just brilliant by Fernandes.
“This was the best hour of football I’ve seen from Manchester United for some time and a performance conspicuous by Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. Edinson Cavani seems a much better fit up front and Fernandes looked back to his best.
“Ralf Rangnick may have found a formula he can build on, but whether he has the bottle to leave Ronaldo out of the side in order to do it remains to be seen.”
Cavani clearly works harder out of possession than Ronaldo, but the Uruguayan doesn’t carry the same goalscoring threat as United’s number seven, and he didn’t have a shot on goal in the Midlands.
Ronaldo would have been frustrated to see his teammates surrender a two-goal lead, but he will be eager to prove his fitness and be back in the starting line-up, alongside an in-form Bruno Fernandes, who has delayed contract talks with Manchester United until the end of the season.
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