A traditional rivalry in the Premier League unfolded once more at Old Trafford on Sunday evening, as Manchester United faced off against Arsenal.
Ultimately, neither side was able to secure a decisive victory, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the conclusion of the match. Arsenal’s hopes for a revitalized title challenge continue to diminish, while Manchester United must confront their disappointing position in 14th place in the league standings.
Nevertheless, Bruno Fernandes delivered another spectacular moment that briefly energized the crowd at the Theatre of Dreams, with the cherished number eight once again taking center stage with his impressive performance.
Bruno Fernandes’ performance in numbers
Following his impressive free-kick that found the back of the net, the dynamic Portuguese attacking midfielder has now accumulated 11 goals and 13 assists this season, establishing himself as Manchester United’s most reliable and elegant player, even amidst challenging circumstances.
Of these contributions, 13 have occurred in the league, with many supporters at Old Trafford hoping that this particular effort would secure a memorable victory, only for Declan Rice to emerge with a late equalizer for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, dampening the spirits.
It is concerning to consider how much further down the table the Red Devils might be without such moments of brilliance, as Fernandes also contributed two additional attempts and a crucial pass during the match in an effort to guide his team to victory, though success eluded them.
Demonstrating his commitment, he also made two tackles, and it is undeniable that the dedication exhibited by the United captain was commendable. However, another midfielder has now become just as indispensable as the highly discussed 30-year-old, having delivered an even more vigorous performance.
Man United’s 8/10 “monster” is now as undroppable as Bruno
When Amorim reviews his team sheet prior to matches, it is almost certain that Fernandes will be the first name confirmed to start at this juncture.
Following closely behind in this context is Casemiro, who has been gradually revitalizing his career with the Red Devils in recent weeks. The former Real Madrid player notably won eight duels during the mid-week match against Real Sociedad.
Traditionally viewed as a scapegoat at Old Trafford, Casemiro’s resurgence continued in the match against Arsenal, where the 33-year-old received commendation from football statistician Statman Dave, who referred to him as a “monster” for securing eight tackles in just 65 minutes.
He managed to win one additional tackle before the conclusion of the match, and his overall performance yielded significantly more positive statistics, solidifying his status as an indispensable player alongside the goalscoring hero.
| Casemiro’s performance in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Casemiro |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Touches | 37 |
| Accurate passes | 15/18 (83%) |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Blocked shots | 2 |
| Tackles | 9 |
| Total duels won | 12/16 |
| Stats by Sofascore | |
Long gone are the days when United fans were clamouring for Amorim to drop the waning midfield dud, with Casemiro bravely winning 12 duels in the middle of the park, alongside only misplacing three of his 18 accurate passes on the day.
Following another commendable performance, the journalist from the Daily Express awarded a notable 8/10 post-match rating to the United number 18, praising his defensive display as “tremendous.”
While Fernandes showcases abundant flair, it was Casemiro’s determination that truly stood out in the 1-1 draw. Amorim’s team now looks forward to securing a Premier League victory in their upcoming match against Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City.