Bruno must be central to United plans

FOR all the comment and outcry that has swirled around Bruno Fernandes over the past week, many seem to have forgotten just how important he is to United.

Few signings have had the immediate impact, especially mid-season, that Fernandes enjoyed when he finally arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020 and though there was a lull last season when every single player struggled to show any semblance of their best form in a dire campaign, he has roared back to his best this year.

Erik ten Hag immediately recognised his qualities and made him a fulcrum of the side. While Marcus Rashford has rightly stolen the headlines with his remarkable success in front of goal and new signings Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have received a lot of credit for United's transformation, Fernandes has continued to be the driving force.

The Portuguese has 20 goal contributions in 41 matches, is the second-highest scorer and is capable of pulling decisive moments out of the hat even when the Reds are below their best.

When pundits were mourning the lost sanctity of the United captain's armband and calling for Fernandes' head on a spike after the defeat to Liverpool, it was quickly forgotten how selfless he has been in recent weeks.