Casemiro and Marcus Rashford comments confirm Manchester United’s most important player

Bruno Fernandes finished the season with 14 goals and 15 assists in all competitions for Manchester United.

As the Manchester United players trudged down the steps at Wembley and prepared to collect their runners-up medals, there was a scathing gesture from Bruno Fernandes to take the lead.

Harry Maguire is technically still the club’s captain, but the Portuguese is clearly seen as the true leader of the United side.

The changing of the guard will be officially announced this summer. Maguire is expected to leave the club and Fernandes is seen as the frontrunner to take over the captaincy.

A year ago, Fernandez seemed unfit for Eric ten Haag’s team. It’s a testament to his dedication and skill that he always gave importance to and kept bringing new things.

It’s still like a square pin stuck in a round hole. The 28-year-old takes unnecessary risks, loses the ball too often, and lets his emotions run free in the heat of the moment.

But the fire in his stomach and the momentary unpredictability make him very dangerous. He’s still the catalyst for this United side, but now he’s growing alongside other football intellectuals on the same wavelength.

There is some evidence that Fernandes has enjoyed his best season in the United shirt. Yes, there have been other campaigns where he has emerged as a star and scored more goals, but now he is much more of a team player than a talisman.
His 14 goals and 15 assists for the team in all competitions is an impressive feat, even if it doesn’t match the staggering numbers that came before
. In each of his last six seasons, he’s posted double-digit results on both metrics.

Fernandez made an impression not only as a one-man show, but also as a supporting act, and still often grabs headlines with his understated brilliance. He has always been the leader of the team, but now he is also the heartbeat.

I used to be selfish, but now I’m not selfish. Twenty-seven percent of his appearances this season have been in his preferred role in attacking midfield, but he has never complained and is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of his team. I didn’t.

“It’s an honor to play with him,” Casemiro said of his midfield teammate. “He is the driving force of the team and helps us the most.”

Marcus Rashford has expressed a similar view. The English striker secured a clean sheet in the club’s end-of-season award, but had to choose between Casemiro and Fernandes for the Player of the Season award.

“I think we’ve named two,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s allowed (laughs). I voted for Case (Casemiro) and Bruno (Fernandez). Since Keith joined the company, he has done a great job and I feel he has made us stronger. I think Bruno and [Christian] Eriksen have all had great seasons, but they have been given the freedom to play their own football and it’s clear that United are no longer the only players they depend on.