Bruno Fernandes continued his scintillating form, scoring his fifth goal in a week as Manchester United eased to a 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League.
The Portuguese midfielder played a crucial role, providing two assists and sealing the win with a late strike at the King Power Stadium.
United’s captain, who netted a hat-trick in Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League triumph over Real Sociedad, has been instrumental in the club’s recent resurgence.
His performances have drawn praise from manager Ruben Amorim, despite criticism last month from former United skipper Roy Keane.
Fernandes Responds to Critics with Stellar Performance
Fernandes, who has now contributed 16 goals and 15 assists for United this season, addressed Keane’s remarks that “talent is not enough” with a determined response.
“I do things in my own way,” the 30-year-old said. “Obviously, it’s not nice to hear those things, but at the same time, it motivates you. People believe there are areas to improve, and I respect that.”
Keane had questioned Fernandes’ leadership qualities, but the midfielder remains unfazed. “I have a huge respect for Roy Keane. Not everyone will like what I do, but I accept that there’s always room for improvement in my game, my leadership, and everything I do.”
Dominant Display at Leicester
United controlled large portions of the game, with Fernandes orchestrating the attack. He assisted Rasmus Hojlund’s opener before setting up Alejandro Garnacho for the second goal. Fernandes then put the result beyond doubt with a well-taken strike late in the match.
Reflecting on the game, Fernandes told Sky Sports, “We knew it would be difficult, and we had to be at our very best. In the first half, we made some mistakes in transition, but in the second half, we took control and got the goals.”
His contributions have been vital for United this season, with only Mohamed Salah (54) and Erling Haaland (33) having more goal involvements among Premier League players.
Since arriving at Old Trafford in 2020, only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (90) has more assists in Europe’s top five leagues than Fernandes (80).
Amorim Praises Fernandes’ Influence
United manager Ruben Amorim lauded Fernandes’ impact, highlighting his consistency and leadership.
“He’s a special guy in that aspect,” Amorim said. “He is always ready, he recovers well, and his numbers speak for themselves. I always see a Bruno that is dangerous and one that can recover quickly. He’s going to stay in that role.”
Amorim also acknowledged Fernandes’ strong mentality, which has been evident in recent weeks. “In Portugal, we knew Bruno for his frustration at times, but seeing him work every day, I was really surprised. He’s a very good professional, and you can understand why he pushes himself so much.”
Looking Ahead
With United now in strong contention in both the Premier League and Europa League, Fernandes remains determined to maintain his high standards.
“I want to score as many goals as possible and assist my teammates,” he said. “I need to keep getting into the right areas because that is one of my qualities.”
As United prepare for their upcoming fixtures, Fernandes’ influence will be key in their push for success on multiple fronts.
