Manchester United's manager has laid emphasis on the importance of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes on the pitch and his role from a tactical perspective in the team's progress this season.
While fans are calling for the efficient former Sporting Lisbon attacker to be rested as he has missed just two matches this season, one due to suspension and the other due to illness, team manager Erik Ten Hag has taken his time to appreciate the 28-year-old and claims he has been getting better with each game that has been played this season.
"He’s very strong; he’s very good at recovery first, so he is a really good athlete,” Ten Hag told the media in his post-match press conference on Thursday night.
“He has so much energy, he can play in so many roles, and for tactics, it is brilliant for the team that he can play [these] roles.”
Bruno Fernandes has featured in several roles this season under Erik Ten Hag; he has played in his natural position, the number 10, while also featuring on the right flank as well as dropping into the deep playmaker's role against Southampton in the Premier League.
Erik Ten Hag stressed the qualities the Portugal international possesses with the ball that make him an outstanding player on the pitch.
The Dutchman continued, “We can play him there [midfield] where we can benefit from him overloading areas where he can outplay opponents, so we get in good situations and so we will create chances."
“He is also very important in the counter-press and in pressing, so his transition is a really fantastic skill for him.”
Bruno Fernandes has been in excellent form since he arrived in the winter transfer window of 2020. He has already cemented himself as a cult hero amongst the Old Trafford faithful while also making his impact felt as a leader in the team's dressing room. Erik Ten Hag believes the 28-year-old will only keep getting better.
“He is an example for the team," Erik Ten Hag added.
“I think his performance once again [was brilliant], as well as in recent weeks, he’s in brilliant form."
“It looks like he’s getting better and better from game to game," he asserted.
While Bruno Fernandes' work ethic and influence on Man United's style of play under Erik Ten Hag can't be underestimated, the 28-year-old still needs a breather after playing more minutes this season than any other Man United player. Thankfully, the international break is upon us, and the stand-in captain and the rest of the squad can get some rest, reset, and refocus on what is left before the curtains are drawn on the 2022-2023 campaign.
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