Sport
Bruno Fernandes Hits 100 Goals as Amorim’s Driving Force at Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes scored his 100th goal for Manchester United in the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday. Of those 100 goals, 30 have put United ahead in games. 21 of them have been winning goals, illustrating just how important the Portuguese midfielder has been to the Old Trafford club over the last five years.
Fernandes’ goal against Chelsea on Sunday didn’t decide the match, but he was still the driving force for Ruben Amorim’s team. He set the tone for an energetic performance by the home team who played 50 minutes with a man-advantage after Robert Sanchez’s straight red card just four minutes in.
Nobody registered more shots than Fernandes who also completed more passes than any other United midfielder. Not only was he Amorim’s pace-setter in the centre of the pitch, he was their most dangerous attacking presence in and around the opposition penalty area. Fernandes did everything in a standout performance against Chelsea.
“That guy deserves to be in the history of our club, not just for what he does but for what his team conquers,” Amorim said about Fernandes following his display on Sunday which saw Manchester United finally win two home games in-a-row since the Portuguese’s appointment last year.
“He deserves all the praise. The most important thing is the influence he has on the squad. Sometimes he’s not in the best position to be the main man in every game, but the point of the captain is to be the best he can be in every situation to help the team to be better. He’s doing that.”
Amorim has deployed Fernandes in a deeper position this season, most commonly using him as one half of a double pivot. This has been a struggle at times with Fernandes more comfortable when he has the freedom to get in between the lines and impact the game in the final third.
Even against Chelsea, when Fernandes was the most dangerous and impactful player on the pitch, he was only afforded so much time and space due to the fact United were playing against 10 men. There are still major doubts over Fernandes’ ability against the ball and whether he has the defensive instincts to be a true two-way midfielder.
Nonetheless, Sunday’s victory highlighted how, not for the first time, the success or failure of Manchester United’s season depends on whether or not they can get the best out of Fernandes. He is the player more than any other in the Old Trafford dressing room who could push the Red Devils up the Premier League table, certainly higher than 15th place.
Of course, Amorim needs a lot more than just Fernandes to achieve genuine success this season. United spent big to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko and expect the trio to contribute in a major way over the course of the 2025/26 season and beyond. Mbeumo has at least made a positive start.
Amorim also needs to see more from his team that they are adapting to the 3-4-3 formation that has been the subject of so much discussion since his arrival from Sporting CP 10 months ago. So far, it has been an awkward fit for his squad, but Amorim continues to insist he won’t change his ways.
In Fernandes, though, Manchester United have an elite difference-maker who is up there as one of the most reliable attacking figures in the Premier League. When there is so much uncertainty around Old Trafford concerning Amorim’s project, United must do everything they can to harness a player they already know to be the real deal.
