Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has explained how the former Ajax manager Marcel Keizer got the best out of him at Sporting Lisbon using similar methods currently being deployed by Erik ten Hag.
With United now several weeks and three games into their pre-season campaign, it has become evident that the club's new No.8 will play a significant role in Ten Hag's re-build.
Thus far, Fernandes has started all three of the pre-season matches in his favoured number 10 role, whilst still being given the freedom to roam and allow his creative juices to flow.
Although he is yet to score or assist under Ten Hag, United supporters have seen glimmers of the player who earned the nickname "Portuguese Magnifico" while donning the red shirt.
Advert
Amongst countless other United players, Fernandes had his fair share of critics last season, particularly targeting his at times franticness and tendency to lose possession of the ball.
Something which Bruno has addressed himself, "I'm an emotional player and an emotional person.” He told Sky Sports.
“I criticise myself too much and sometimes I need to calm down a little bit, but that's the way I am.
"I don't like to lose but I don't try to blame anyone. I try to see what I can do better to make the team improve.”
Nonetheless, many of the Old Trafford faithful have questioned whether or not Bruno can fit into Ten Hag's possession-based style of football.
Though the Portuguese international has struck back at his critics and outlined exactly why he believes he will be a success playing for the Dutchmen.
"I talk with the manager and he asks me what I am feeling about the game-plan and I said to him I had a coach at Sporting Lisbon (Marcel Keizer) who came from Ajax too and the way of things was quite similar and I had my best season with him.”
Marcel Keizer graduated from the Ajax academy during Johan Cruyff's tenure as manager of the Dutch club, and eventually took over as manager himself in 2017 for a short stint.
A year later, taking the Ajax philosophy of football with him, he took over Sporting Lisbon in 2018, where Fernandes was vice-captain.
Playing under Keizer, Fernandes registered a whopping 28 goals and 22 assists in just 41 games, as per Transfermarkt, in a season which was instrumental in him catching the attention of the Red Devils.
"So for me, it's about following the rules [Ten Hag] wants, following his demands and my game will come naturally."
The 27-year-old may now be more motivated than in past seasons, as he now faces genuine competition for his position on the pitch with the return of Donny Van De Beek and the arrival of Christian Eriksen.
The hope of United supporters is that this healthy competition will drive him back to the inevitable Bruno Fernandes the Premier League witnessed in his first 18 months at the club.
Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Football, Sporting CP, Sporting Lisbon, Erik Ten Hag
Nick Khairi