Steve Nicol says that most teams would actually love to have one Manchester United player in their ranks after his ‘fantastic’ performance in their draw with Bournemouth on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag should perhaps feel that United got away with one at the Vitality Stadium.
The controversial penalty decisions went their way, with the Cherries having a late spot-kick overturned after the VAR deemed the challenge to have taken place outside of the penalty area.
Manchester United got their own penalty after the ball struck Adam Smith on the ball. It did appear that Smith was incredibly unlucky to be penalised.
But Bruno Fernandes was able to capitalise to score his eighth league goal of the campaign. It was the Portuguese who had levelled the game for United with an emphatic volley from close range in the first-half.
The 29-year-old has come in for plenty of criticism this season, with Gary Neville baffled by Fernandes’ first-half display against Liverpool last week.
Bruno Fernandes praised as Manchester United earn draw at Bournemouth
But he stepped up when his side needed him on Saturday. And speaking on ESPN, Nicol suggested that you cannot help but be impressed by Fernandes’ ability.
“There’s no question, when they can get him the ball in the right areas, he can produce. Whether it’s a strike, whether it’s taking a penalty kick, the guy’s got ability. Most teams would like him on their side,” he said.
“Whether he’s captain material, I’m not so sure. But the truth is United don’t really have anybody that’s captain material, and so, he’s okay as far as that’s concerned.
“But as a player, yeah, he’s fantastic.”
Actually one of his best seasons yet
Fernandes can perhaps be criticised for his leadership skills at times. But he is definitely someone who got his side out of a lot of trouble over the years.
He has scored 76 goals and contributed 62 assists in 227 games for the club in all competitions. And this season could well end up being his second best for goals at Old Trafford.
United appear to be struggling to find a way to make genuine progress. The fans are surely ready to see the end of this Premier League season.
But Fernandes is one of the players who could definitely feature in a United team fighting further up the table.
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