Manchester United took a major step towards claiming their first Premier League title since 2013 by beating Aston Villa 2-1. This victory was of particular importance for the Red Devils because arch-rivals and league leaders Liverpool only managed to register a 0-0 draw against Newcastle. These results mean that United now only trail Liverpool on goal difference. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's team now have a legitimate chance to claim a title they have not even approached in recent years.
United's current form represents a remarkable turnaround from that of just one year ago. This time last year, United were in the midst of a horrendous slump which saw them pick up just 10 points over eight league matches. They fell as low as eighth in the league; as a result, Solskjær was almost fired. This begs the question: how have United bounced back so well and so rapidly?
The answer is very simple - it is only four words long: Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes.
Fernandes further underscored his status as the driving force behind United's revival by scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot against Villa. This was just the latest instance of the Portuguese midfielder once again saving United when they needed him most. To put how important he has been for United, consider this fact: thus far this season, United have scored 33 league goals. Fernandes has either scored or assisted 18 of them. It isn't just his scoring and passing, though - his off-ball movement, pressing skills, and ability to dictate the rhythm and pace of play have set the tone for United throughout their current campaign.
Fernandes' intangibles have also been lauded by United fans. His leadership qualities and willingness to hold teammates accountable have caused many to believe that he should be named United's permanent captain - a belief that has seen its traction grow recently after Fernandes' impressive debut with the armband. This came against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
When United signed Fernandes last year, they were still in the slump which was previously mentioned. He was a major reason behind not only their return to form, but an eventual charge up the league table to finish third and seal a spot in this season's Champions League - something which had seemed unlikely before he arrived at Old Trafford.
Almost no one could have expected or predicted Fernandes' sudden ascension after he signed for United. Somewhat of a late bloomer, Fernandes did not emerge on most fans' radars until being named as the Primeira Liga's Player of Year for the second time in 2019. He was already 24 years old at the time and prior to playing for Sporting CP, he had been through uneventful stints at Serie A clubs Udinese and Sampdoria. As a result, when he joined United last January, the prevailing thought was that he would be a solid addition to a team still awaiting its centrepiece. Of course, as it turned out, he would be the centrepiece himself.
So impressive was Fernandes that despite playing less than half of United's 2019-20 season, he was named the club's Player of the Year. Never before in the history of Manchester United had this happened.
Fernandes' rise has been as meteoric as it has been unexpected. A year ago, if you'd been asked to rank Fernandes among all players in the world, he'd have barely made the top 50, if even that at all. Today, he is clearly among the top 20 players on the planet with a possible (though admittedly unlikely) argument for top 10. Clearly, if United do indeed go on to clinch the league title, Fernandes will be the primary reason for their success.
I'll even say this: Edinson Cavani should not have been given United's iconic #7 jersey upon his arrival during the pre-season. Cavani should have been given Fernandes' current #18, leaving Fernandes to deservedly don perhaps the most iconic football jersey of all time.
It's extremely rare that just one signing can inspire an uptick in form quite like that of Fernandes, but that is exactly what has happened at United. What makes this even better for United fans is the fact that all signs point to Fernandes remaining at Old Trafford for many years to come. If he does and his supporting cast continues to deliver him the help he needs, expect regular silverware to start coming back to Manchester United.
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