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If this was the test of whether Manchester United has the depth of the roster to succeed without Bruno Fernandes in the starting lineup, they failed it. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be more convinced than ever that his team depends on his Portuguese playmaker.
Manchester United were lousy for much of their 3-1 win over West Ham, having omitted Fernandes from the team for the first time in a Premier League match since his arrival in January. On that occasion, Solskjaer’s team fell 2-0 at home to Burnley.
This time they were able to turn to Fernandes in the interval.
There were other factors as Manchester United rallied in the second half at London Stadium. Paul Pogba’s magnificent shot tied the score. Mason Greenwood’s clinical finish gave them the edge. Juan Mata’s sumptuous pass to Marcus Rashford sealed the points.
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FREE TO SEE: Highlights from Manchester United’s victory at West Ham in the Premier League
But it was Fernandes who was there causing everything. It was his good work that got the ball back in preparation for Pogba’s goal. It was his firing of Alex Telles who gave the pass before the pass for Greenwood’s goal and it was he who fed Mata for the third.
By the time it was over and Manchester United had completed the victory that places them in the top four of the Premier League, Fernandes had directly created eight chances from open play.
That’s the most of any player in a Premier League game this season. In fact, it’s the most a player has created in a Premier League game for Manchester United in a decade. And entered the break.
It’s an outrageous statistic that illustrates his extraordinary influence on this Manchester United team. His creativity with the ball at his feet is remarkable and transformed the game.
“Forty-five minutes was enough,” Solskjaer said. Sky sports.
The Manchester United manager had acknowledged in advance that he hoped not to need Fernandes. A great week awaits you with the need to obtain a result at RB Leipzig to ensure progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Manchester derby looms next weekend. Fernandes received a light blow. I wanted to rest it.
The problem is that the equipment does not work in your absence.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford helped turn the tide of the game at West Ham
“The pass has been terrible from Manchester United,” said Gary Neville, in commentary of Sky sports, at one point during the first half. “Horrible. Terrible, honestly. All of them. Giving it away so cheap. The weight of the pass, the appreciation of the teammates. Terrible.”
He was absolutely right.
As good as West Ham was in those first 45 minutes, it was Manchester United who contributed to many of the clearer chances. Harry Maguire’s missed pass resulted in a shot from Jarrod Bowen. Anthony Martial’s loose work sent Pablo Fornals hitting the post.
At the other end, they collected just three shots, none of them from particularly promising positions. Fernandes helped ignite the team and once Pogba tied, the complexion changed. When West Ham chased, their passes eliminated them at halftime.
The assist means that Fernandes has now been directly involved in 36 goals in the 38 games he has played for Manchester United in all competitions since making his debut in February – 22 goals and 14 assists. Five more than any other Premier League player in this period. Let’s not talk about the difficulties of the January transfer window again.
What will continue to be debated is the thorny issue of Manchester United’s progress under Solskjaer. The individual quality within the team is evident, that ability earns points. But seeing this team so devoid of ideas before the arrival of Fernandes and Rashford raises serious questions about how robust this progress really is.
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The pattern of play, the pulling of the triggers, even the culture that has seen the team having to come back to win five of their six Premier League games this season should be a concern. Lack of coherence.
Fortunately, Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes. And while this was an alarming reminder that the depth of the team might not allow for the kind of rotation Solskjaer would like, it was also further proof that they have a player who can convert most games in his own way. RB Leipzig and Manchester City can expect to see their name on the team sheet.
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