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Bruno Fernandes made his 150th start for Manchester United against Leicester City on Sunday.
The Portuguese midfielder made his debut in February 2020 and in this three-year period he has started four more games than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, including goalkeepers, and 11 more than any other outfield player.
The 28-year-old has only missed one matchday since arriving at Old Trafford, which was due to illness.
He has made 162 total appearances for United in all competitions.
After falling short of his expectations last season with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, Fernandes has reclaimed his status as an immovable and intrinsically important member of the starting XI this season.
Erik ten Hag has chosen to deploy him on the right wing since the World Cup. Although this was somewhat forced by Antony’s injury and Jadon Sancho’s sabbatical, the decision has nevertheless proven to be inspired.
Fernandes himself insisted that this decision was made in light of his responsibility on the training ground:
“It is important [for the coaching staff] knowing that I can play in different positions and do different things and that the coach trusts me to play on the right wing, on the eight, on the left or wherever he needs me to play”, he said.
Furthermore, since Sancho has been reintroduced to the team, the Englishman has largely settled into the middle of the front row in the number ten favorite role of Fernandes.
We’ve also seen target man Wout Weghorst used as number ten and number nine.
It can be assumed that Ten Hag’s desire to turn United into a Total Football team is contributing to this variation in positions.
The Dutch manager is, in effect, trying to create a dynamic, unpredictable and multifaceted system and players within that system.
Fernandes’ passing ability, however, is showing that he is well suited to the right.
He made nine key passes against Leicester, the most by any player in a single game in the Premier League this season.
His willingness to defend is also commendable and lessens the blow suffered by the loss of the tenacious and hard-working Antonio.
Fernandes won five on-field games and made four clearances to help United’s efforts to shut out Barcelona last Thursday.
When playing as number ten, his usual position, Fernandes noticeably drifts to the left side of the pitch on a consistent basis.
But by becoming de facto team captain with club captain Harry Maguire becoming fifth-choice centre-back, Fernandes has accepted the requirement to lead by example in recent weeks, and the discipline and flexibility shown not only by appearing in an unusual position, but also by excelling at it helps the 28-year-old achieve this leadership status.
Fernandes made it his priority from the day he joined to help make United a successful club again. Before the League Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest last month, he said:
“With this club I have never [achieved] my main goal, which is to be here at Manchester United and win trophies with the club.
“That’s the first one we can win and hopefully we can win the semifinal, go to the final and win the first trophy.”
And therein lies the answer to the initial question: it may be the perfect time for Fernandes to start lifting trophies with Manchester United by donning the captain’s armband while thriving as a multi-functional creative gem in Ten Hag’s coveted crown.
