Thierry Henry says Bruno Fernandes ‘killed’ teammate Amad Diallo during Manchester United’s Premier League win over Aston Villa.
Fernandes produced a sensational display to assist United beat top-four rivals Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford, providing the assist for 2 of the goals.
Arsenal legend Henry was hugely impressed by Fernandes’ performance and expressed his ‘love’ for the Portuguese playmaker during a segment on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Henry nicknamed the United captain ‘Braino Fernandes’ resulting from the very fact ‘he doesn’t play football – he thinks football’ and was a step ahead of his rivals throughout the sport.
‘If you happen to can control the speed of your brain you’re going to be faster than anyone on the sphere and that is what this guy has in abundance,’ Henry said of Fernandes.
‘I’ve said it before, he doesn’t play football he thinks football. He did it so well again on the weekend.
‘Within the second half he was just like the kid in school who’s higher than everyone, he just got on the ball and passed it forward every time he could.
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‘Something that folks don’t often see with Bruno – because he’s so great on the ball – is his work ethic. He can walk across the pitch if he wants because he’s the most effective player but then he pops up defending.’
Henry also highlighted the moment Fernandes ‘killed’ Amad for not giving him the ball late on throughout the match.
Fernandes had made a run behind Aston Villa’s defence but Amad didn’t pick him out and the United captain was seen berating his teammate for a good while afterwards.
‘He wanted the ball [off Amad Diallo], he wanted the ball,’ Henry added. ‘He gets the ball after but he’s flat-footed by that time.
‘He wanted the ball from Amad Diallo, not Manuel Ugarte, and I wanted to point out that because that is at 3-1 with just a number of minutes to go.
‘He killed Amad Diallo for a minimum of seven seconds! That’s just him, he’ll argue along with his Dad or with anyone but he still finds a way.
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‘Even when he wins he’s like that, he demands excellence from himself and his teammates. For me, that’s an actual leader. Take a look at him, he’s still going at Amad! He didn’t prefer it.
‘My name for him now’s Braino Fernandes because this guy thinks on the pitch and I find it irresistible.’
Fernandes’ two assists against Aston Villa took his overall tally for the season to 16 – probably the most by a Manchester United player within the Premier League.
Should Bruno Fernandes win the POTY award?
The 31-year-old is just 4 behind the general Premier League record – held by ex-Arsenal striker Henry and former Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne – with eight games still to play.
Henry has ‘at all times liked’ Fernandes and says the Portugal international deserves respect for staying at Manchester United during some tough times.
Fernandes has been among the finest players on the earth since moving to Old Trafford but can have won more silverware at one other club, having only lifted the FA Cup and EFL Cup with United.
The playmaker was also offered an enormous salary to go away Manchester United for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer but decided to remain put as he wants to maintain playing at the highest level.
‘I’ve at all times liked him,’ Henry said. ‘What he’s been doing at Man United in some difficult moments for the club is outstanding.
‘We must give him credit as well because he could have walked away but he stayed and he’s fighting in every game, I like him.’
Manchester United have a three-point cushion in third after beating Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and return to Premier League motion on Friday night against Bournemouth.
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