Bruno Fernandes finally puts in captain-like performance for Man Utd

From Old Trafford - Often heralded by the Manchester United faithful as one of the club's most important players, Bruno Fernandes has often flattered to deceive when his team have really needed him to step up.

You could even argue that he's one of the few United players to have failed to individually progress under Erik ten Hag this season.

But against Everton, basking in the Old Trafford sunshine, Fernandes put in a display of real quality to inspire a 2-0 win and one that was captain material worthy.

This isn't to say that Fernandes isn't already an important player, because he obviously is. But it's more a case of his reputation going before him at times and the performance level that you then come to expect from him falling well short of the mark.

Fernandes has often worn the captain's armband for United, but he was relieved of the responsibility against the Toffees as Harry Maguire came back into the side for a rare start in central defence.

For once, though, you can convincingly say that Fernandes performed like a player worthy of being captain, spending far more time on the ball spraying exquisite passes into the channel rather than chewing off the ear of the officials like we so often see.

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This time, the slapping of his hands in frustration was at a chance he'd just created being spurned, not because of a refereeing decision that had not gone his or United's way.

This was the Bruno Fernandes Manchester United fans have spoken so highly of, and not the player this writer has seen better performances from when playing for Portugal.

Playing in a deeper role next to Scott McTominay, with Marcel Sabitzer playing more advanced, it was fascinating to see Fernandes adapt and take control of proceedings. Only the brilliant Jordan Pickford in Everton's goal held a candle to his midfield performance, and understandably Fernandes drew praise from Ten Hag for his display.

"When you miss players, you have to find solutions as a coaching staff, and so with Casemiro and Eriksen missing, you need to find the build-up and progression to get into attack, we found the idea to bring Bruno deeper and he is doing brilliant,” Ten Hag remarked.

"I think he was brilliant and he has played brilliant in a deeper role and even last week against Newcastle he played very well and today - brilliant. He was definitely the best player on the pitch."

There's no denying that Everton were, and are, a pretty poor team, and one that invited trouble in the first half in particular. But Fernandes picked them off at will, collecting the ball deep in midfield, before arrowing a number of perfectly weighted balls over the top for Antony in particular to chase down.

Were it not for Pickford, United would have been out of sight at half-time, and Fernandes would have been responsible for most, if not all, of the goals. His passing was sublime but it was the manner of his all-round performance that stood out most.

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It's well known that United want to sign another progressive midfielder - a number eight type - and Fernandes' performance doesn't change that. But if the 28-year-old can offer this kind of level to Ten Hag week in and week out, you do begin to salivate at the prospect of the club bringing in somebody like Mateo Kovacic or Frenkie de Jong - players of undoubted quality who alongside Fernandes really could push United onto great things under Ten Hag.

It also brings in to focus how important Fernandes could be in United's leadership group. He's been panned for his behaviour in months gone by, often for his petulance, but this was a mature display that showed what he can do when he's focused on the task at hand.

Everton didn't offer the big game threat others will, sure, but Fernandes laid down a marker here - and it's something he must continue to do for United, over and over and over again.