The Impact of Bruno Fernandes
Assessing the impact Bruno Fernandes has had on Manchester United. The signs give us an indication of what we can expect.
Since his arrival in January, Bruno Fernandes has revitalized a struggling Manchester United and completely changed their fortunes. From a team that looked unlikely to finish in the top 4, Manchester United eventually sealed a 3rd place finish on the final day. With 8 goals and 7 assists since signing, Bruno was instrumental in their climb up the table.
As the numbers in Figure 1 illustrate, stylistically not much has changed. What has dramatically improved is the team’s efficiency. Manchester United now convert more positional attacks into shots, take higher quality shots, and have become markedly better at converting their chances into goals.
Figure 1: The changes at Manchester United since Bruno’s arrival.
A large portion of the changes can be attributed to Bruno. Looking at his individual stats (Figure 2), we can immediately see the areas in which Bruno excels in, and thus where his biggest impact has been. Fernandes is the highest volume shot taking & goal-scoring midfielder in the league, yet still ranks in the top 5 for scoring efficiency, a testament to his finishing ability from good areas. He is also amongst the best chance and shot creators, and excels in linking the midfield to attack.
Figure 2: Bruno Fernandes v Premier League Midfielders
Goalscoring
As mentioned above, Bruno is one of the highest volume shot taking midfielders in Europe. It is thus paramount that he is a good finisher. Fortunately for Manchester United, he is. Bruno is an exceptionally efficient goal-scorer both from open-play and from set-pieces. He has a good conversion rate with shots from outside the area, and excels at making runs into the box to get on the end of chances. This has helped ignite United’s attack. (Figure 3)
Figure 3: Bruno Fernandes Premier League shot map.
For any goalscoring midfielder, the ability to make late and intelligent runs into the box is crucial. As mentioned earlier, Bruno excels at making these runs. We can see an example of this in Figures 4 and 5. Bruno offers Manchester United an additional runner in attack. This stretches the opposition’s defense, particularly in a counter-attacking situation such as the one below, as the Brighton scramble and struggle to contain all four of Manchester United’s attackers.
Figure 4: Bruno making an intelligent run to the far post.
Figure 5: Unmarked, Bruno finishes the chance emphatically.
Link-Up Play
Bruno’s impact is not confined to goal-scoring however. The Portuguese has been instrumental at linking Manchester United’s midfield and attack, which has resulted in higher quality goalscoring opportunities for the team. (Figure 6)
Figure 6: Manchester United’s shot heat-map before & after the arrival of Bruno
Effect on Anthony Martial
The creation of better quality opportunities has directly contributed to the improvement of several of his teammates. Anthony Martial, in particular, has been one of the biggest benefactors from Bruno’s arrival. We can see this in his shot-map in Figure 7. Due to more high volume shooters in the team, he is taking less shots. However, more of his shots have been from inside the area, while the quality of his chances has risen considerably.
Figure 7: Anthony Martial shot-map with & without Bruno.
We can see an example of this against Sheffield United (Figures 8-10.) Playing between the lines, Bruno receives a great line-breaking pass from Paul Pogba. Upon receiving the ball, he plays an audacious flick that sets up a dangerous 2v2 opportunity for Martial and Rashford. The Frenchman eventually gets himself into a great position and converts the chance.
Figure 8: Bruno receives a great pass between the lines.
Figure 9: He receives the ball in a good area and is faced with several options.
Figure 10: Bruno plays a flick into the path of Martial.
Passing & Chance Creation
Moreover, Bruno is also capable of dropping deep and picking out progressive passing options. Although he has a tendency to lose possession in these areas, mainly by attempting to play a risky pass, there is great value in him dropping deep at times. We see this in Figure 11 & 12. Him dropping deep allows United’s other forwards to stay high up the pitch, and disrupt the opposition’s defensive structure with their intricate movements & combination play.
Figure 11: Bruno picks up the ball with two Brighton lines in front of him.
Figure 12: He plays a ‘risky’ pass into the feet of Martial.
With his ability to drop deep and operate in the final third, Fernandes is able to offer Manchester United an additional chance creator. This further explains the uptick in the quality of United’s shots since his arrival. The Portuguese can create chances both from open play, and via set-pieces. (Figure 13)
Figure 13: Bruno’s chance creation map.
An example of this can be seen against Bournemouth in Figures 14 & 15. Receiving the ball between the lines once again, Bruno immediately turns and looks for the forward option. He then goes on to release Odion Ighalo with a wonderful pass. Although Ighalo doesn’t convert the chance, it is a great example of Bruno’s playmaking abilities.
Figure 14: Bruno receives the ball between the lines with space around him.
Figure 15: Bruno plays a great through pass to Ighalo.
Bruno’s impact, however, has not been limited to the pitch. He has had a huge impact off the pitch as well. His leadership, work-rate and infectious personality have galvanized those around him into raising their own standards. His teammates have regularly praised his leadership qualities.
Bruno & Pogba, a sign of things to come?
One of those has been Paul Pogba. Ever since the arrival of Bruno, Manchester United fans have been salivating at the prospect of seeing them in the same lineup, and they haven’t disappointed. In their limited time together, Pogba & Bruno have complemented each other well. For Bruno specifically, Pogba has been able to consistently pick him out in the attacking third, and between the opposition’s last two lines. (Figure 16)
Figure 16: Bruno’s reception zones with Paul Pogba. Credit: @utdarena
Bruno’s presence also means Pogba can focus less on scoring goals & providing assists. With a defensive midfielder behind him as well, Pogba now has the freedom to influence the game as he sees fit, allowing him to be the all-round midfield force that he is. (Figure 17)
Figure 17: Pogba’s reception zones with Bruno. Credit: @utdarena
This combination has allowed United to play at a faster tempo, build up possession better, and better maintain a sustained attacking threat. Indeed, although it’s very early, the Bruno/Pogba partnership looks very dangerous. (Figure 18)
Figure 18: The effect Bruno & Pogba have had on Manchester United. Credit: @AndyForrester1
Although the sample size is still quite small, they give a strong indication that Manchester United finally look like a team on their way to something. While they do still need improvement in several areas, the early signs are promising.
Data Source: Statsbomb via Fbref
