Erik ten Hag's coaching is already paying off with Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United

On stage at Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne on Saturday, five Manchester United players waved to a crowd of a few thousand as they prepared to launch the club’s new away kit.

The sun was setting on another chilly mid-winter evening, but that hadn’t deterred United fans from Down Under coming out to get another glimpse of their heroes.

Their fervour was impressive and many had bought banners to wave at Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay.

READ MORE: United have one big transfer decision left to make

This was the day after United had beaten Melbourne Victory 4-1 at the MCG and a few days before they return to the venue against Crystal Palace. As the fans waited to see the players and the host tried to buy time, the supporters were asked who they were most looking forward to seeing.

“Bruno, Bruno” was the overwhelming verdict. Fernandes was the most popular player and while all five got a great reception as they entered the stage, it did seem that the overwhelming fans' favourite amongst Aussie reds was the Portuguese midfielder.

Fernanes had a disappointing 2021/22, but he certainly has credit in the bank given the way his arrival transformed United’s midfield under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That hasn’t been forgotten.

But Erik ten Hag’s arrival brought a sense of intrigue around the role Fernandes would play. Since his £47million move from Sporting, he has been a high-risk, high-reward playmaker. He was capable of creating something out of nothing, but on his days he could be culpable for turning over possession on countless occasions. Fernandes looked to create every time he got on the ball and sometimes that desire came at the expense of keeping possession.

Ten