There is more to Manchester United than Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United’s title challenge gained momentum as they knocked out the 2-1 winners against Fulham on Wednesday night.

The result saw the Red Devils return to the top of the Premier League, two points behind rivals Manchester City in second (who have a game in hand) and Leicester in third and six points ahead of Liverpool (who also have a game in hand). a match in hand).

It’s a position that seemed unthinkable when they were knocked out for six by Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in October or when Demba Ba mocked them for Istanbul Basaksehir in November – and a great debt of thanks to the position they were in. currently find is due to Bruno Fernandes.

The midfielder has been the catalyst for change at Old Trafford since joining Sporting CP in January, and he has trailed United to the top of the table this quarter with 11 goals and seven Premier League assists.

Fernandes was generally good again against Fulham on Wednesday night, playing a central role in United’s equalizer as his teasing performance was placed in Edinson Cavani’s path by Alphonse Areola and appeared with his flicks and skillful touches.

But it was Cavani and Paul Pogba who shone the most for United, showing that the Red Devils have another dimension to them.

Fulham took the lead in six minutes thanks to Ademola Lookman. Fulham, the team that tend to win when they advance under Scott Parker against Manchester United, the team that have made a habit of triggering a comeback and winning after losing positions. Something had to give. Fulham gave.

Cavani equalized with an instinctive and intelligent poacher finish and really looked the game up for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, his goal capping off a quite impressive performance from the Uruguayan. His pace of work was exceptional; he chased, he harassed himself, he stole tackles and he didn’t give Fulham’s backline a moment’s rest.

Going forward, Cavani’s movement was smart and unpredictable. He almost gave United the advantage in the second half with a kick and a header near the post, only a solid save from Areola holding him back.

There was nothing Areola could do to prevent Pogba’s scorching strike a few minutes later. It was a thing of sheer beauty from the United midfielder, cutting inside to the edge of the box and then sending a ridiculously daring strike into Fulham’s net.

It was a world-class, match-winning quality moment for Pogba where – just like against West Ham in December – he demonstrated his ability to change a game with just one flash of brilliance.

Fernandes is world class, but against Fulham the Red Devils have shown they have more strings to their bow.