Then a performance like Saturday’s Manchester derby happens and the logic falls apart in real time.

United’s victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford was not just about passion or momentum. It was about control, creativity and decision-making in the biggest moments. Fernandes provided all three.

He dictated the tempo when United needed calm, accelerated play when space opened up and repeatedly put City’s defensive structure under stress. It was the kind of display that underlines his true value: not simply as a scorer or assister, but as the connective tissue of the entire attack.

That importance is backed up by cold numbers. Since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes has delivered well over a century of combined goals and assists across all competitions. No United player in the post-Ferguson era comes close to matching his sustained output.

Season after season he remains among the Premier League’s most productive creators, topping or nearing the top of the charts for chances created and final-third involvement. When United create, Fernandes is usually at the centre of it.

 

What made the derby particularly significant was the role he was allowed to play. Under Ruben Amorim, Fernandes had often been pushed into deeper midfield areas, burdened with defensive responsibilities that diluted his attacking impact. He did the work, as he always does, but it never felt natural. Under Michael Carrick, there are early signs of a tactical reset.

Against City, Fernandes operated far closer to the opposition box, with more freedom to roam and fewer shackles on his instincts. The difference was immediate. United looked sharper, more inventive and more coherent in possession.

This shift also highlights why selling Fernandes now would be so short-sighted. His game is not dependent on speed or physical explosiveness. It is built on awareness, timing, technical quality and decision-making. These are attributes that tend to age well. At a point when United are desperate for stability and identity, offloading a player who can remain elite for several more seasons would be a gamble bordering on reckless.

There is also the uncomfortable reality of replacement. United are not overflowing with creative midfielders capable of producing at Fernandes’ level. Finding another player who can combine leadership, durability and consistent elite output is far harder than simply spending a large transfer fee. Even with Saudi money on the table, the practical footballing value of Fernandes far outweighs any realistic offer.

Beyond the numbers, Fernandes provides something United have lacked for years: personality with purpose. He demands the ball, takes responsibility when matches tighten and is visibly unwilling to drift through games.

In the derby, that mentality was evident in every phase of play. When City pushed forward, he offered an outlet. When United needed a spark, he supplied it.

If Manchester United are serious about building a competitive side, Fernandes should be the centrepiece, not a bargaining chip.

Saturday’s performance was not a nostalgic reminder of past brilliance. It was proof that, in the right role, Bruno Fernandes is still the player United simply cannot afford to lose.

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