Bruno Fernandes rise to new Manchester United position was three years in the making

Bruno Fernandes has been hailed by many as the best Manchester United signing in the post-Alex Ferguson era, and deservedly so.

The playmaker has tallied 118 goal contributions in 185 matches since arriving in January 2020. Not only does he lead by example, the Portugal star is also the most vocal on the pitch.

Lisandro Martinez has perhaps rivalled him over the last 12 months but Fernandes is comfortably the loudest and most frequent of the first-teamers. There have been moments where his demands for high performance have edged over into outward frustration but he insists his eagerness to succeed is the driving force behind it all.

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He got his first taste of silverware at United in February when he lifted the League Cup under the Wembley Arch alongside Harry Maguire. Fernandes was the de facto captain last season while Maguire was benched but now he’s assumed the armband permanently.

As gesticulative as he is on the pitch, the 28-year-old speaks eloquently off it and has always said the right thing after a defeat, draw or victory. He’s often seen inviting fans to applaud a player who has thrived in a match during the post-game walkaround.

Fernandes was always going to be the successor to Maguire, and he’s had a lot of practice. The playmaker led his side out 38 times last season, seven more than the number of appearances Maguire was given. His leadership skills had been spotted years earlier when one former coach predicted he would be a future United captain back in 2020.

Eight months after his arrival at Old Trafford, former Udinese