Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes the club needs more players of Bruno Fernandes’ calibre and mentality after the captain’s brilliant free-kick secured a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Fernandes, who has faced criticism over his leadership—most notably from former United captain Roy Keane, who called him an “imposter”—was once again the standout performer in a struggling United side.
His spectacular goal on the stroke of half-time was his 12th of the season, making him the team’s top scorer, ahead of the injured Amad Diallo on nine.
“That we need more Brunos? That is clear,” said Amorim. “Not just the quality, but the character that he has. The availability in this league, which is so important, and he is so decisive with and without the ball.”
United have often raised their game against strong opponents under Amorim, having drawn away at league leaders Liverpool, knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup, and beaten Manchester City earlier in the season.
However, they have struggled in matches they were expected to win and currently sit 14th in the Premier League table.
Despite playing at home, United had just over 30 per cent possession, but Amorim made it clear he does not want his team to rely on defensive football.
“In the future, I want to play a different football,” he said. “To spend more time attacking in the final third than defending in the low block. The spirit, the commitment to the plan, and the unity are good signs.”
Declan Rice rescued a point for Arsenal with a goal 16 minutes from time, ensuring the Gunners avoided a third consecutive Premier League match without scoring.
However, their title hopes are fading, with Liverpool sitting 15 points clear at the top.
Even if Arsenal win all 10 of their remaining matches, Liverpool would need only 16 points from their final nine games to secure the title.
“I don’t want to say that (the title race is over), but today the frustration is that we haven’t won our game,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
“We know the urgency, we are obligated to win every single match, and if we have any chance of doing that, I don’t think it’s the right moment to talk about it.”
Arsenal came close to losing, with goalkeeper David Raya making a crucial late double save to deny Fernandes and a last-ditch challenge from Rice preventing Rasmus Højlund from scoring a potential winner.
Arteta was frustrated by how his team played after equalising, believing they should have pushed on for the victory.
“We scored the goal, and when my feeling was that they (United) were very tired because they could not get out, we opened the door for them to maybe win the game,” he said.
“Very basic things done poorly, and even though we had three big chances, the reality is that David saved us, and in the last chance, we could have lost the game.”
