Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has made a bold declaration about Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, labelling him as the finest attacking midfielder currently operating in European club football. This high praise follows Fernandes' influential performance in United's recent 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Fernandes Shines in Advanced Role Under Carrick
The Portuguese international, who joined United from Sporting CP for £47 million in 2020, scored the decisive second goal in the 81st minute of Saturday's match. Demonstrating sharp instincts, he arrived at the back post to convert a precise cross from Diogo Dalot, securing a crucial three points for the Red Devils.
This goal contributed to an impressive run of form for Fernandes, who has been revitalised since the appointment of interim manager Michael Carrick. Under previous manager Ruben Amorim, Fernandes was often deployed in a deeper midfield role. However, Carrick has restored him to a more advanced, creative position, a tactical shift that has yielded immediate dividends.
Phenomenal Numbers and European Acclaim
The statistics underscore his resurgence. In his last four appearances, Fernandes has directly contributed to five goals, registering one goal and four assists. For the entire season, his tally of 18 goal involvements is surpassed only by the prolific Erling Haaland across the Premier League.
Analysing the performance on BBC's Match of the Day, Murphy was unequivocal in his assessment. 'Bruno got his goal with a wonderful finish and topped off a brilliant performance,' Murphy stated. 'Considering he actually had one of his poorer performances last week against Fulham, his response has been exceptional. At the moment, he’s arguably the best No.10 in Europe.'
Carrick's Impact and United's Resurgence
The victory over Tottenham marked a fourth consecutive win under Carrick's temporary stewardship, solidifying United's position in the Premier League's top four. The result also closed the gap to just three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester City, who occupy second and third place respectively.
While calls for Carrick to be appointed permanently will inevitably grow louder, Murphy cautioned that the interim boss is likely keeping expectations in check. 'It will be hard to keep going with these numbers; these are phenomenal numbers,' Murphy noted regarding United's start. 'He’ll be much happier seeing this form sustained over ten games, but he can’t have asked for a better start. The team is playing good football, the fans are on board, and the players look confident and are enjoying themselves.'
Fernandes Praises Managerial Freedom
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Fernandes himself highlighted the positive atmosphere Carrick has cultivated. He credited the manager's approach with unlocking the squad's potential.
'I think Michael came in with the right idea of giving the players the freedom to take responsibility on the pitch, to make the decisions that were needed,' Fernandes explained. 'I think he remembers what I told him the last time he was manager. Michael could be a great manager, and he’s just shown it. We hope we can help him even more, so everyone can see we are good players. That’s why we are at Manchester United.'
Fernandes also acknowledged the unique pressures of representing the historic club, noting that Carrick's own decorated history as a United player gives him a innate understanding of those demands.
The Red Devils will aim to extend their winning streak to five matches when they travel to face West Ham United in a midweek fixture. Fernandes' form will be central to any hopes of continuing their impressive revival under Michael Carrick's leadership.
