Raphael Varane shows why Erik ten Hag has given him a new role at Manchester United

Just when Bruno Fernandes was struggling to justify his presence in Erik ten Hag's team, he reminded Manchester United supporters why they fell so hard and fast for him.

Sporting the captain's armband again, Fernandes' first-time volley was the type of spontaneous brilliance he has executed umpteen times during his United career. The precise measurement of Fernandes' side-footer is a skill beyond many of his teammates.

Perhaps it was the sight of his Portuguese speakers warming up. Casemiro, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fred were obvious picks to introduce in what had been a hitherto individualistic and regressive performance from United and Fernandes should know the armband does not make the skipper bulletproof.

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The player who can create something out of nothing then did just that from United's outstanding piece of collective play. Anthony Elanga, lightweight in the first-half, was lithe in the second and pierced a compact Southampton defence, inviting Diogo Dalot to deliberately and deftly tee up his compatriot.

Less than 10 minutes later, Fernandes was blocking a cross to the soundtrack of "Bruno, Bruno" from the away-dayers deprived of a goal at the Northam Stand. On this occasion, the ends justified the means from Fernandes.

He is not truly aligned with Ten Hag's style and Fernandes' impetuousness impeded United's attacks in the first-half. United were at their most authoritative whenever the more measured Christian Eriksen was on the ball; not often enough in the final third.

That posed the question as to whether Ten Hag - who has already demonstrated he is not averse to proactive changes - would hook Fernandes in favour of Casemiro or Fred and push Eriksen higher up. No need, for