On the whole, it has been a great season for Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United. The Red Devils are enjoying a fine year under new boss Erik ten Hag, but Fernandes has come under some warranted criticism of late.
United looking for top-four finish
The battle for the top four in the Premier League looks likely to go to the wire this season. Arsenal and Manchester City are fighting for the title and will surely take two places, while Manchester United are in a great position to secure one of the remaining UEFA Champions League spots. For those looking for the best football tips for today, you can get solid odds of +1300 for United to finish in the top two. Also, the bookies are offering -1000 for Man United to claim a top-four spot.
Newcastle United are having a great year under Eddie Howe, and the Magpies are also in the mix. Newcastle are currently priced at +175 to finish in the Champions League position. Liverpool have found form and are available at +170, while Tottenham Hotspur are also priced at +170. The top-four race promises to be a thriller from now until the end of the campaign.
Fernandes captains United to EFL cup glory
Manchester United secured their first major trophy for six years when they saw off Newcastle in the 2023 EFL Cup final in February. On their way to Wembley Stadium, the Red Devils beat Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest.
United were too good for Newcastle on the day, with first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford giving the Red Devils a deserved 2-0 Wembley win. Although captain Fernandes was not at his best, the Portuguese became the first United skipper to lift the EFL Cup trophy since Chris Smalling in 2017.
Bruno Fernandes is blocking out the noise 🤫 pic.twitter.com/fOWGUuKqcA
Forgettable day at Anfield
Just a week on from their EFL Cup triumph, Man United were humiliated at Anfield. Ten Hag’s boys were second best for 90 minutes, as Liverpool ran out comprehensive 7-0 winners. It was Man United’s record Premier League defeat and was a dark day for the club.
Naturally, the United players received some harsh criticism from pundits and fans alike after the embarrassing defeat, with Fernandes being singled out for his woeful display in Merseyside.
Many questioned Fernandes’ hunger and desire, and there calls for the Portugal international to lose his captaincy while Harry Maguire is unavailable. However, Ten Hag continues to have faith in him, and Fernandes is more than capable of turning his form around for United.
Erik ten Hag says Bruno Fernandes will remain Man United's captain in the absence of Harry Maguire 💪 pic.twitter.com/ozHgkNeOgu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 8, 2023
In the match directly after the Anfield debacle, Man United were back to their best, easing to a 4-1 UEFA Europa League win over Spanish side Real Betis. Fernandes was instrumental in the victory, assisting and scoring in the Old Trafford rout.
As Manchester United looks for even more trophies this season, they need their best players in top form. The Portuguese still has a point to prove, but Fernandes will no doubt be a key player for the English heavyweights for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.
