Erik ten Hag makes vital tweak vs Nottingham Forest as Manchester United's transfer need exposed

Fernandes' influence

There have been more pressing issues to occupy minds at Manchester United this week, but it didn't entirely go unnoticed inside the club that Bruno Fernandes' captaincy credentials had again come under the spotlight.

Fernandes was critical of referee Michael Oliver for failing to award United a penalty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was booked for dissent during the game. United felt there wasn't enough scrutiny on the handball decision that wasn't last week and although Fernandes was criticised for what were seen as petulant complaints in TV interviews, those close to him felt he had a point.

But once again Fernandes responded to the criticism by raising his game. It has become a familiar theme recently and partly explains why he is the new club captain. He might occasionally struggle to keep his emotions in check, but Erik ten Hag believes the armband brings more out of him.

That was certainly the case against Nottingham Forest, the skipper rallying a bedraggled team to claw their back from the abyss and claim what already feels like a valuable three points.

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The club went into this fixture under pressure, rather than the manager, but there was a desperate need for a win and a performance ahead of next week's trip to Arsenal. They delivered the former and at least Fernandes produced the latter.

His inventive set-piece led to him setting up Casemiro's equaliser and he scored the winner from the spot. He had six shots in the game and more than 100 touches and he was influential in rescuing United. This was a real captain's performance.

Set-piece creativity

When Fernandes sent a pass from a free-kick in a dangerous area on the right backwards to