The Manchester United legends were almost queuing up to pay their tributes following the enthralling FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Wayne Rooney was delighted, his pre-match score prediction becoming reality as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo fired Erik ten Hag‘s outstanding side into a 2-0 half-time lead at Wembley.
Paul Scholes – never usually too effusive in his praise – could not believe what he was seeing asa teenage Mainoo turned the national stadium into his own personal playground, while hailing his midfield partner Sofyan Amrabat for turning in a display a ‘prime Gattuso’ would have been proud of.
And when Roy Keane is admitting that he might have got things a little bit wrong, that is a compliment sweeter than any superlative.
Keane had previously suggested that Bruno Fernandes was not the right man to don the iconic Man United armband. But as he led his team with character and quality on Saturday afternoon – his every lungbusting run bringing to mind that emotional Player’s Tribune piece which barely left a dry eye amongst the Red Devils support – Keane could hardly be happier to have been ‘proven wrong’.
Bruno Fernandes captains Manchester United to Wembley win
“Absolutely amazing. It was a proper Manchester United performance. They were dogged, they stuck in, and they played some good stuff going forward too,” Keane, a four-time FA Cup winner under Sir Alex Ferguson, said on ITV Sport.
“I’ve been critical of Bruno over the years and I’m happy to be proven wrong. His leadership was outstanding. We’ve always mentioned how brilliant he is as a player…”
Fernandes’ remarkable assist for Mainoo’s 39th minute winner was the sort of pass us mere mortals could only dream of. Pep Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference that the Portuguese ‘Magnifico’ is one of the most creative talents he has ever come across in football.
And, on a day in which Kevin de Bruyne was subbed off early and largely ineffective – Fernandes played in his teenage team-mate with a pass few would have even spotted let alone been able to pull off.
Portuguese prince assists Kobbie Mainoo winner
“Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant,” Keane beamed, Fernandes’ gorgeous no-look through ball the pinnacle of a flowing, back-to-front move.
“United’s decision making in terms of possession, when to go long, when to go short. Talk about the two wide players when they’ve got that space, beautiful quality ball (from Marcus Rashford). You look at Bruno, this play and this finish…
“That’s where his brilliance is. A lot of players can’t do it. He gave (Mainoo) the perfect pass. Simple, brilliant, effective, lovely.”
Fernandes ends another terrific campaign on a personal level with 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.