Erik Ten Hag was rightfully effusive when praising his team in the aftermath of yesterday’s thrilling Manchester Derby. ‘I think all my players were brilliant’ the Dutchman declared, encapsulating an impressive team performance, and well-deserved win, against a Manchester City side who ran riot in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. It was a controlled performance which maximised United’s strengths and restricted City’s, starving their forwards of meaningful chances and opportunities.

Pep Guardiola’s team maintained 71% possession of the ball yet only managed one shot on target all game. United, by contrast, converted their 29% possession into four shots on target; the xG – United (2.07)-City (0.76) – reflected the control, without the ball, Ten Hag’s team were able to exert on proceedings. City were possession without intention; United defensively sound with ruthless transitions. Guardiola confirmed this assessment in his post-match interview, describing United as an ‘incredible threat in the transitions and the counter attack’.

While it was a team effort, at the heart of this domination of the transition was undoubtedly Manchester United’s enigmatic midfielder, Bruno Fernandes. Ten Hag, in the same breath as the universal praise for his team, chose to individually praise his on the field leader: ‘I definitely have to mention Bruno, he was really brilliant’. In a match where every United player constituted brilliant, what made Bruno Fernandes’ performance really brilliant?

A question with many possible answers, but the most accurate would be the Portuguese midfielder produced a quintessential captain’s performance. He demonstrated the type of attitude and leadership Old Trafford has been starved of in the ignominy of recent years, as well as the tactical intelligence and work rate to help Ten Hag successfully implement his game plan. All while sacrificing his usual position and natural inclinations with the ball. Bruno wore the arm band the way a derby demands you wear it.

Relocated to the right-wing to enable Ten Hag to buttress the midfield, Fernandes can feel like an awkward fit in the position. Lacking the acceleration or sleight of feet associated with more natural wide players, as well as being consigned to the wing which does not allow him to cut in on his favoured right foot, Fernandes does not allow such limitations to affect his attitude or application. He pressed intensely and intelligently; he diligently tracked the runs of his compatriot João Cancelo and helped Wan-Bissaka double up on Foden; he filled in centrally when the midfield was threatened; and he utilised the ball productively, particularly in transitions.

The positional sacrifice of Fernandes also gave room in the starting eleven for Fred, tasked with man-marking Kevin De Bruyne, where the Brazilian was especially effective in the first-half. Furthermore, it pushed Christian Eriksen forward, into Bruno’s normal home, where he helped to apply constant pressure to Rodri, as well as knitting together counter-attacks with simple, but adroit, use of the ball. The team was far more balanced as a result, compared to the one which was metaphorically maimed at the Etihad, and the contrast in performances (and score lines) reflected this. The positional sacrifice of Fernandes was the catalyst behind this tactical equilibrium.

But where attitude and work-rate are the foundations of a good performance, it’s skill and intelligence which elevate it to a great one. In a match where the tactical instruction is primarily one of defensive solidity, deliberately ceding possession of the ball for control of the game, a team’s ability to counter-attack effectively is paramount. Fernandes was decisive in these moments, clinically scoring the equaliser, with the help of a dubious interpretation of the offside rule, before providing the penetrating pass to Alejandro Garnacho, who assisted Marcus Rashford for the winner. Four minutes, two transitions, two goals.

On display in both attacks was this requisite combination of skill and intelligence, particularly in the first. The through-ball to Garnacho was superb but the equaliser demonstrated the combination of talents Fernandes brings to the table. It was, firstly, a brilliant finish, curled round Ederson with pace and precision at a crucial moment in the game. The intelligence and awareness, however, to instruct Rashford to not touch the ball having known the winger was offside, and instead using him as a quasi-offensive lineman, while simultaneously producing a finish of that quality, is really brilliant.

There was a moment immediately following the goal where it seemed it would be disallowed however. Rashford was clearly offside and the decision appeared inevitable. Fernandes was immediately on to the linesman, berating him with a barrage of protestations and explanations for why it should stand. It’s an attitude that footballing purists may disagree with but one that is undeniably effective. There was also a moment late in the game, with City seeking to ramp up the pressure, where Fernandes went down holding his leg, demanding the referee stop play. The legitimacy of the ‘injury’ is doubtful but what is undoubted was the effectiveness with which it helped break up the rhythm the opposition were seeking to establish.

The ‘Dark Arts’ represent a murky area in which there exists a reluctance to compliment a player’s proficiency at wielding their powers. It’s a form of footballing intelligence, however, which can be a necessary evil at times. Fernandes has a feel for this this side of football in a way that someone like Harry Maguire does not. Having a captain adept at this style of in-game management can be invaluable for a manager; particularly when they combine it with the skill Fernandes possesses.  

The goal took Fernandes’ tally in the league since his debut to 39 – no other midfielder has scored more in this time. His performance more generally also earned him the Man of the Match award – no other United player has achieved more since his debut. During the interview for the presention of the award Fernandes was keen, however, to stress the importance of the collective over the individual:

‘I said it before the game to the team…we look like a team now. Some months ago, you could see that [we were] sometimes a times, sometimes looking out for ourselves. Now you see a proper team that works hard for each other and you can see that it pays.’

They’re words which echo sentiments Ten Hag has consistently sought to stress as integral in his interviews. The voice of a captain who is the extension of his manager, on and off the pitch. When this attitude and leadership is combined with Fernandes’ skill and intelligence, it’s a brilliant combination.

Manchester United fans certainly have fond memories of a former midfield general in Bryan Robson, who earned the nickname ‘Captain Marvel.’ In Bruno Fernandes they have a current midfield maverick who could be nicknamed ‘Captain Brilliant’ – or ‘Captain Really Brilliant’ if left up to his manager.

Darragh Fox