Bruno Fernandes delivered a captain’s performance for the ages, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist as Manchester United came from behind to dismantle Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese maestro, recently crowned PFA Player of the Year, single-handedly dragged his side back into the contest after they fell behind to a Leif Davis strike.
Fernandes thundered home the equaliser just before half-time after a slip from Ipswich’s Marcelino Nunez. He then kept his nerve from the penalty spot after a Jacob Greaves own goal had put United in front. He completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute and added an assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s late strike.
Owen Hargreaves, the former United midfielder, was full of praise for the skipper’s enduring excellence. “He plays virtually every game at the same level. They’re so fortunate to have a player of his calibre,” Hargreaves said. “He’s so reliable. It’s actually remarkable. The intensity of the game, the speed of the game, but it doesn’t seem to affect guys like Bruno.”
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Hargreaves had previously labelled Fernandes the “best player in the Premier League”, and his display against Ipswich attested that status.
A defiant Fernandes told Sky Sports that the victory was about getting the season back on track. “It was massive,” he said. “We lost three points last week… we wanted to start the game on the front foot, be strong. I think we were in control of the game. In the second half we were very, very good.”
Reflecting on his hat-trick, he added: “It’s the best feeling in football… doing a hat-trick in a game at home with our fans, it’s something amazing that I’m very proud of”.
After a disappointing opening day defeat to Hull City, this was the response Carrick and the Old Trafford faithful demanded. With academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo restored to the starting line-up, there was a sense of optimism at the final whistle.
But once again, it was their captain who led the charge, proving that when United need a hero, Bruno Fernandes is always ready to answer the call.
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