Manchester United have been reborn under Erik ten Hag this season and the Reds are on track to enjoy their best season in several years.
Most importantly, the team looks like it is well-coached and supporters are being entertained by Ten Hag’s new possession-based football.
It’s a far cry from the lack of structure shown in recent years and Ten Hag’s neat recruiting has been one of the main reasons behind United’s renaissance.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the former United midfielder but more famously for Germany and Bayern Munich, has singled out a player Ten Hag inherited as ‘the brain’ of the Old Trafford side, however.
Schweinsteiger has reserved special praise for playmaker Bruno Fernandes, who looks to be back to his brilliant best under his new manager.
“I call him ‘the brain’,” Schweinsteiger is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
“Like he literally moves so smart on the field and do you know what, you actually like kind of underestimate [his work rate]. Of course, he’s making his assists, or he is scoring the goals and makes great passes but Bruno Fernandes, he is working very hard.
“His numbers are high [for the distance] he runs on the field, and I really like watching him because whatever he does, it makes sense.”
SN’s verdict…
Schweinsteiger is not a stranger to midfield talent and you would think that his judgement is second to none. In this case, you would struggle to find a United supporter who disagrees with him.
Fernandes has been in terrific form for United this season but his stellar performances in the World Cup have elevated him even more, with the 28-year-old becoming the first Portuguese player to be directly involved in five World Cup goals since 1966.
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