Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has spoken about the differences at the club under Michael Carrick – compared to Ruben Amorim’s disastrous tenure.
The 31-year-old has helped spearhead United’s charge up to third in the table under the interim boss, who has won seven of 10 matches at the helm.
Fernandes believes the team are more compact now and more willing to ‘suffer’ during tough spells in matches.
He told the Men in Blazers podcast: ‘He changed some players, the positions of some players, you try different formations and at the end of the day you start scoring goals.
‘In terms of creating chances we were near the top when Ruben was here but we were not finishing that and then we were probably one of the best teams at not allowing teams in our box but when we did we would concede more goals.
‘We started to be more compact when we have to defend and understand we have moments when we have to suffer when we’re not in an excellent moment, let’s say.’
He added: ‘I wouldn’t say it was lucky but it was good for us that we had two big games straight away (when Carrick took over). I think if you win against Man City and then have to face Arsenal who are top of the league and very difficult to play at the Emirates, you could think “it’s going to be fine, we’re playing great football now, we’re going to win”.
‘We found a way of winning games and sometimes big clubs need to find a way of winning games whether it’s pretty or not.’
Fernandes is among the contenders to win the PFA Player of the Year award this season and has been in dazzling form.
He’s scored eight times and delivered 16 assists in the Premier League this term so far with seven games left to play.
Fernandes also gave an interesting, if unexpected answer when asked which club legend he’d choose to play with now.
Eschewing the likes of Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, he opted for his current boss, Carrick.
Explaining his selection, Fernandes said: ‘It is going to sound strange but I’ve said it many times… Michael Carrick.
‘I trained with him when he was here under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and sometimes he was with us as a No 6 to bring the ball between the lines and he was great, as a No 10 you want that ball to come to you as fast as possible, he was incredible in timing the passes, control and pass.
‘Sometimes it’s not about having the ball for so long but about finding your team-mate as free as possible, for me as a No 10 that’s perfect.’
Having been deployed in an uncomfortable deeper role under Amorim at times, Fernandes is thriving as the team’s most creative outlet now.
He has one season remaining on his contract and has a £56.68million release clause that can be triggered by foreign clubs.
The Portuguese star was the subject of interest from Saudi clubs last summer, which could be revisited at the end of the season.
