First year paying off big for Solskjaer, drawing Cantona comparisons

It was after Bruno Fernandes‘ third recreation for Manchester United that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew he had made the fitting determination in bringing the midfielder to Previous Trafford.

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Whereas the remainder of the squad had been largely happy with a 1-1 draw towards Club Brugge within the last-32 of the 2019-20 Europa League figuring out there was one other leg to come back, Fernandes was not. It was the kind of response Solskjaer had seen earlier than within the United groups he performed in, and the Norwegian was quietly happy to see his new signing from Sporting CP throw his shirt down within the nook of the dressing room.

Solskjaer can also be of the opinion that attracts, even ones that may be rectified per week later, are by no means adequate. After solely taking part in the ultimate 9 minutes in Belgium, Fernandes requested Solskjaer to begin the return leg in Manchester. He scored, and United gained 5-0.

As he approaches his first anniversary on the membership, it stays certainly one of solely 4 occasions Fernandes has performed at Previous Trafford in entrance of followers. Since making his debut on Feb. 1, 2020, the Portugal worldwide has been certainly one of United’s most transformative signings. He has been so influential to even draw comparisons with Eric Cantona, whose arrival in November 1992 triggered a run of 4 top-flight titles in 5 seasons after a 26-year run with out one.

Fernandes nonetheless has a protracted option to go to match Cantona’s trophy haul, however it’s value noting that United completed second the season earlier than the Frenchman was signed. When Fernandes pulled on a United shirt for the primary time, they had been fifth within the desk, 36 factors behind leaders Liverpool. A yr on, they’re one level off the highest.

His numbers converse for themselves. By profitable the Premier League’s participant of the month award for December, he grew to become the primary participant to gather the trophy 4 occasions in a calendar yr, having additionally gained it in February, June and November.

Given his broad affect, it’s outstanding that in the summertime of 2019, United appeared pleased for Fernandes to affix Tottenham Hotspur. Having grown weary of talks with Sporting that had been going nowhere and with nagging reservations about how Fernandes may adapt to the Premier League, they had been ready to let him transfer to north London, notably after studying Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had been quoted a a lot lower cost. However the deal by no means materialised, and when United’s Portuguese scouts urged the recruitment division to take one other look, Solskjaer and assistant Mike Phelan went to observe Sporting themselves, seeing a participant they believed had improved markedly for the reason that finish of the earlier season.

Determined to enhance his group’s attacking output, Solskjaer requested govt vice-chairman Ed Woodward and chief negotiator Matt Decide to investigate about Jack Grealish, however after that was knocked again by Aston Villa, United ploughed forward with talks for Fernandes. The deal, accomplished on Jan. 30, 2020, may find yourself costing £67.6 million if sure efficiency indicators are met, but when Fernandes continues on the identical trajectory, Woodward can take into account it the most effective worth for cash signing since he took over from David Gill in 2013.

In simply 12 months, Fernandes has established himself as the point of interest of the membership. There’s already speak of a brand new contract to mirror his standing regardless of already having a deal till 2025 plus the choice of one other yr. His shirt is the most effective vendor within the Megastore, and when it comes time for worldwide broadcasters to submit interview requests earlier than and after video games, his title is often high of the listing. When Amad Diallo has skilled with the primary group following his transfer from Atalanta, Fernandes has been eager to supply the 18-year-old winger recommendation and encouragement throughout coaching.

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One of many issues that had impressed Solskjaer most through the background checks on the 26-year-old was how effectively he had captained Sporting. Having determined the squad lacked leaders when he took over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018, it was one of many causes Solskjaer has additionally tracked Grealish, captain of Aston Villa. Fernandes was made United captain for the primary time for the Champions League group recreation with Paris Saint-Germain in October. He was sitting within the pre-match information convention with Solskjaer when his supervisor introduced the information. Caught abruptly, the midfielder was anxious the cameras had filmed him wanting confused, and so eager to mission the fitting picture, he requested membership officers to tug the video earlier than being assured the whole lot was superb.

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Jan Aage-Fjortoft displays on Man United’s unhealthy day on the workplace, dropping to Sheffield United at house for the primary time since 1973.

On the pitch, Fernandes has been simply as rigorously managed. Solskjaer has admitted to “pulling my hair out” at how usually Fernandes is vulnerable to dropping the ball — even for an attacker making an attempt dangerous passes — however it was one thing he was made conscious of by the analysts earlier than Fernandes joined, and the United boss has informed his gamers, who can typically grow to be pissed off in coaching and video games, to let him preserve attempting.

“He is anticipated to create objectives, rating objectives and typically the margins are towards him,” Solskjaer mentioned of Fernandes earlier this season. “He is at all times on the verge of making one thing, even when he loses the ball, and that is the place I would like him in and that is what he is been informed to do. I would like him to play the passes he sees.”

Solskjaer has mentioned privately that Fernandes is allowed to offer the ball away, notably given the quantity of operating he does to get it again. Members of the teaching workers have tried to encourage him to grow to be extra considerate in the way in which he makes use of his vitality, however have since discovered he’s happier charging round, determined to get on the ball and relentlessly urgent opponents. He is similar in coaching, and workers have repeatedly needed to order him inside for concern he would keep out on the Carrington pitches all night time if there was nobody there to inform him to go house.

Following his appointment two years in the past, Solskjaer realised in a short time that the group wanted to alter off the pitch in the event that they needed to win on it. New gamers have been key to his mission at Previous Trafford, and none extra necessary than Fernandes. A yr on from his arrival, the choice to signal him has already been vindicated.