Bruno Fernandes arrived at Man Utd exactly a year ago…
That was the day Bruno Fernandes arrive from Sporting Lisbon in a £55million deal. ONE YEAR ago today, Manchester United began their march back to the top.
The 2-0 home league defeat to Burnley just over a week earlier was possibly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lowest moment.
There were crowds back then and Old Trafford was in open revolt.
The result left them fifth, 24 points behind leaders Liverpool and with little hope of things improving. But things were about to change.
Bruno Fernandes arrived and the season finished with three semi-finals and a third-placed Premier League finish.
The momentum, after a rocky start, was picked up again this season. United ufa were back.
Since arriving, no Premier League player has scored more than the Portuguese star’s 28 goals in all competitions.
Harry Kane is second with 26 and only Kevin De Bruyne has more assists with 21 to his 17.
Fernandes has played 34 Premier League games for United and they have won 21 of them. Of their previous 34 they won just 12.
So it is little wonder that, looking back over a year with Fernandes, boss Solskjaer was gushing with praise.
He said: “Brilliant. From day one he’s come in and wanted to affect the environment, the playing environment, the staff. He’s been a great addition.
Solskjaer said: “He watches every game on TV, especially the big games. If you ask him ‘did you watch that last night?’ he’s always seen the game.
“He’s going to make the most of his career, that’s for sure.”
While most players steam up the farmer’s lane to the Carrington training ground in top of the range gas guzzlers, Fernandes used to arrive in a Mini straight off the set of the Italian Job.