Football writerAdrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 30.

Player analysis:Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

WhenRuben Amorim walked through the doors at Old Trafford last November with his 3-4-2-1 formation tucked under his arm, much of the talk surrounded the absence of a No 10 role.  

Where was captain Fernandes going to fit in? 

Sixty-eight minutes into Amorim's first match in charge, a1-1 draw atIpswich Town, we got our answer.  

Dropping Fernandes back from part of his front three into an orthodox central midfield berth, it was the first glimpse we had of howManchester United’s new head coach envisaged using the 30-year-old.  

More experimentation followed, but in 12 of the last 13 matches in all competitions, Fernandes has featured in the heart of the team's midfield.   

In the only contest he started further forward, away toEverton, Fernandes reverted to that deeper role when attackerAlejandro Garnacho came on for midfielderCasemiro in a 62nd-minute substitution. The switch sparked a comeback as Man Utd responded from going 2-0 down todraw 2-2.

Ahead of Man Utd's trip toNottingham Forest, it feels like Fernandes is not just one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, but also one of the division’s most accomplished all-rounders.  

NFO

19:00

MUN

close

TV Info - Broadcasters

Is Fernandes underrated? 

Man Utd's disappointing season does not reflect well on their captain, but it would be completely unfair to label his individual performances below par.  

Yes, there was frustration in his play early on, with three red cards between late September and Boxing Day being a manifestation of that.  

But despite featuring for a side languishing in 13th position, Fernandes’ output across all facets of the game has been remarkably high.  

In terms of distribution, his numbers are exceptional.

Fernandes' creativity compared with other PL midfielders

You will also struggle to find a more industrious presence than Fernandes inside the beating heart of the middle third.

Always looking to close opponents down, his 599 pressures inside that domain dwarf everybody else’s efforts, with no other Premier League midfielder eclipsing 475 pressures until this point.  

Man Utd's skipper more than plays his part off the ball, and the stats show he is a much better ball-winner than people give him credit for. 

Fernandes' defensive stats compared with other PL midfielders

This does not come at the expense of his goal threat either.  

Currently enjoying his best scoring season since a 28-goal haul in 2020/21, Fernandes has 16 goals to his name in all competitions so far.   

Three of his eight Premier League goals have come in the last four games, and all of them from outside the box.  

A pair of stunning free-kicks againstEverton andArsenal, followed a fabulous goal atLeicester City, mark him out as a man in seriously good form. 

Watch Fernandes' goal v Leicester

Fernandes' shooting stats compared with other PL midfielders  

Revelling in his new role

Able to dictate Man Utd’s tempo more effectively as a central midfielder - rather than relying on service as part of the front three - Fernandes’ upturn in form is undoubtedly connected to his role.  

He can now control his team's tempo and immerse himself fully in matches.  

Providing good mobility and aggression, he is also a terrific partner forCasemiro orManuel Ugarte, who struggled to form their own successful pairing.  

Using him in a deeper position helps to stretch play too, as he is better at seeing and delivering accurate, penetrative passes than anyone else at the club. 

We saw this with his wonderful through-ball forRasmus Hojlund against Leicester last time out, as you can see below.

Here is a visual representation of the change Amorim has brought to the captain's positional play.  Previously a No 10 or a false nine, Fernandes is now affecting matches from further back.  

Fernandes' minutes & positions played before (left) and after Amorim arrived

Is Fernandes one of Premier League's greatest midfielders? 

In terms of making goalscoring opportunities, Fernandes is the sixth-most productive player in the Premier League across the last 22 years.  

Averaging 2.84 chances created per 90 minutes, he is only behind some of the best, most imaginative players in the competition's history.

Most chances created by PL players since 2003/04

A special signing 

Man Utd bought Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for a fee of around £67million.  

It has proved to be money well spent as the Portugal international’s status as one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation is assured.  

Rarely injured, Fernandes has played 187 Premier League matches since joining the club, with Everton’sJames Tarkowski (190) the only individual who has featured more in the competition during that period.

In that time, Fernandes’ end product has been consistent, as he has scored 62 goals and registered 50 assists.  

Just two top-flight players have been directly involved in more goals.  

PL goal involvements since Fernandes arrived in Jan 2020

Across the last five-and-a-bit years,Mohamed Salah andKevin De Bruyne are the only individuals to have produced more assists than Fernandes. But, in many respects, it is Fernandes who has been the most creative player.  

Statistically, he leads the way for Expected Assists (xA).  

Putting this figure into context at his own club,Marcus Rashford is the next closest to Fernandes’ 45.42 xA, on just 13.97 xA since February 2020.  

PL xA since Fernandes arrived in Jan 2020

Given how often Fernandes features, and how good he is at carving out opportunities from set-pieces (as well as in open play), these numbers should not be a surprise.  

He is a relentless chance creator, making 97 more key passes than anyone else since arriving at Old Trafford.  

PL chances created since Fernandes arrived in Jan 2020

A dramatic turnaround 

Earlier on this season, Fernandes’ form and captaincy were being questioned - especially after collecting his third red card in as many months on Boxing Day.  

Since then, he has been a revelation, leading by example with a string of supremely influential performances.  

Breaking open a resolute Forest side at the City Ground will be a tough examination for Man Utd, but with Fernandes in the starting XI, they will always carry hope.  

Where would they have been without him; this season and across the last five years?

Also in this series