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The Portuguese proved to be the leader the Red Devils have missed with two goals and one assist in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Everton.
When the heads of the Manchester United players fell after falling behind again, it seemed like the start of another long afternoon at Goodison Park for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 4-0 loss at Everton in April 2019 hit the Norwegian hard, but his job was never at stake. Yet another loss in Merseyside on Saturday afternoon would have prompted immediate calls for Solskjaer to be fired.
United had entered the game after a calamitous Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir in the middle of the week, and the comical nature of his team’s defense provoked a bitter reaction against the manager.
So the pressure on Solskjaer only seemed to mount when Bernard opened the scoring at Goodison after United’s defenders failed to beat Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a routine long pass.
“Let’s go!” It was mediocre encouragement from captain Harry Maguire, as the visitors appeared to be coming from behind for the third time in seven days, following losses in Istanbul and at home to Arsenal.
However, United’s lack of leadership has become a major talking point in recent weeks, thanks in large part to criticism from former captain Roy Keane, and the body language of the entire team did not bode well, as they came back half way. line after Bernard’s goal in the 16th minute.
They seemed a side devoid of confidence. They needed more than a half-battle cry destined to evaporate into the cold November air. They needed a real leader to take the game by the neck and turn it back in United’s favor.
Step forward Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese has been a constant source of inspiration since he joined in January, at a time when Solskjaer’s team desperately needed a shot to the arm.
Make no mistake about it: Solskjaer would not have survived the 2019-20 season without Fernandes, who sparked a sensational streak in such a way that United secure a return to the Champions League with a third-place finish in the Premier League.
Fernandes’ quality made a huge difference for United going forward, but his leadership was also critical.
Indeed, there was a reason why Solskjaer selected the attacking midfielder as team captain in last month’s game against Paris Saint-Germain in the absence of regular captain Maguire.
When the coach made the announcement during his pre-game press conference, an expression of surprise crossed Fernandes’ face; clearly he hadn’t been expecting the bracelet.
But everyone else had. Just go back to last season’s trip to Goodison, where United drew 1-1, to see Fernandes’s willingness to lead.
Remember, he had only been at the club for a few weeks, but then he had no problem saying he was “a little mad” that United had failed to take all three points. While some players are looking to hide behind excuses after a disappointing result, Fernandes comes forward and calls him what he sees.
This is a character who demands more from himself and from his teammates. He does not shy away from responsibility; welcomes you. We saw him again on Saturday when United were in trouble.
He was not wearing the armband, but he showed that he has the drive, determination and fight that is required of a United captain.
Just six minutes after United fell behind, Fernandes leveled things with an imposing header, from a brilliant cross from Luke Shaw that ended with a 20-pass play.
United’s second goal also had to do with Fernandes, whether he scored it or not.
The stadium announcer at Goodison awarded it to Marcus Rashford, but the England forward may not have touched what was a delicious ball from Fernandes’ left.
He wasn’t finished yet either. With Everton advancing in search of a tie in injury time, it was Fernandes who broke away before deftly waiting until the last possible second before pulling Edinson Cavani out to seal a vital 3-1 victory.
The Uruguayan was delighted with his first goal in the Premier League, but this goal was of much greater importance for Solskjaer.
The result at Goodison was always unlikely to be the determining factor in his long-term future at Old Trafford, but the three points will undoubtedly ease the pressure on his shoulders heading into the international break.
Solskjaer had insisted beforehand that he was doing well. He “trusted” his players to give a positive response and was right to back them up.
United showed more intensity and struggle than the previous two games combined and their midfield rotation, which saw Paul Pogba fall back to the bench, played a pivotal role in a morale-boosting victory, with Fred once again excellent, offensive and defensively.
However, it was Fernandes who made the difference.
It was United’s most trusted leader who saved Solskjaer again.
