In the last seven games, Man Utd have lost only once.
It’s not a season whereby there are pace-setters who are winning game after game.
It pays more to be solid and dig results out. Compared to the dreadful form Man Utd had before this spell of games, particularly in the league, some needed resilience and fight has meant the Red Devils entered the international break with a spring in their steps.
Buoyed by a professional rout of Real Sociedad and having a Europa League quarter final to look forward to has helped, so to has going four unbeaten in the league beating Ipswich Town and Leicester City, whilst Man Utd could’ve also beaten Arsenal had late chances been taken.
It’s not a full revival of the dreadful season yet, more of a ‘mini-revival’ and though we’ve scraped the barrel this season looking for positives, this is the best form so far under Ruben Amorim as the Portuguese manager said so himself.
So, what’s changed?
Attacking Set-Pieces
Believe or not, though Man Utd struggled hugely with conceding from set-pieces throughout the season, they’ve scored 5 goals from set-pieces in the last 4 games.
Two of the goals have been a direct result of Fernandes placing a free-kick in the corner (Arsenal and Everton) and the other three came against Ipswich Town with United players getting on the end of his delivery.
Fernandes has clearly worked more on his delivery and United have worked on set-pieces with positive results.
It’s still a team where the attack is injury ravaged and doesn’t score many goals, embracing this inventive method that other teams have at a desperate time in the season makes sense as Kieran Mckenna also spoke of Man Utd’s height after Ipswich Town lost at Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Casemiro all pose a threat in the air.
For a long time, Bruno Fernandes’ delivery from set-pieces was under par.
As the lynchpin and star man of the team it’s incredible that he’s found another gear and has worked on improving another area of his game to create goals for the Red Devils.
Dazzling Bruno Fernandes
Other legends of Man Utd sit in TV studios and berate about how the team is ‘not good enough’ with a constant comparison back to ‘when we were playing’.
The key aspect that is overlooked is the former stars of yesteryear never worked in such trying circumstances.
Fernandes rather than fold and lose his head like he was earlier on in the season with the red cards he was getting has stood up and been counted when Man Utd have needed a hero the most.
A hat-trick vs Real Sociedad and nine goal involvements in his last seven games is talismanic levels of form.
Man Utd have needed a hero for years, Fernandes deserves more credit than ever because he’s the hero Man Utd have needed and not deserved.
Despite the team over the seasons crumbling, Fernandes has never let his performance levels or concentration be effected by the negative drama around the club.
Man Utd have had a catalogue of stars in the past, but they were largely elevated by other players around them, Fernandes has almost never had a consistent partner to rely on to lift the club, he’s had to do everything himself.
Even whilst being deployed in a deeper midfield role, Fernandes has adapted, not complained and is having an influence on games in a role that needs him to be a calmer presence on the pitch.
Without the forward, Manchester United would be having an even worse season.
Confidence
It has certainly helped that against Ipswich Town and Arsenal, mainly because the circumstances required a switch in tactics, Ruben Amorim switched to a style of play that was low block and counter-attacking.
Rather than what we’ve seen since the manager came in where we’re watching the team adapt to a rigid set of tactics, Man Utd had to dig in, defend and counter.
The two performances gave the team a lift and a needed boost, whereas previously confidence was on the floor.
The fixture list after the international break is much tougher, with a tricky Europa League tie to negotiate.
Imperatively however, Man Utd will return from the break with some good performances under their belt and their talisman in red hot form.
The season is not yet beyond salvaging, considering how Man Utd have played that is remarkable.
If they can fighting, relying on Bruno Fernandes and get more game time in Ruben Amorim’s system a good end to the season will be welcomed.
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