Fernandes key as United prepares for Brentford
Bruno Fernandes has had a brilliant campaign, and his form is propelling Manchester United towards UEFA Champions League qualification as it prepares to take on Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday (AEST).
United has enjoyed a major uptick in form since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as coach in January, jumping up to third in the league, with Fernandes a key player in its form revival.
With five games remaining, Fernandes is on course to break the Premier League single-season assist record, sitting two behind Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on the list (20).
He has provided 10 of those since Carrick's first game in charge, and the interim head coach says he is not surprised by the United captain's impact.
"I think giving Bruno the platform to go and perform [has helped him]," Carrick said.
"I think we're trying to create the structure and a team set-up, to try to bring out the best of everyone within that. But I like seeing Bruno in attacking positions with a little bit of freedom.
"He obviously plays for the team, and he has a big responsibility within that, and I thought he did that ever so well on Saturday [against Chelsea], without the ball, and the defensive work that he did.
"I've known Bruno a long time and worked with him when he was here, when he came to the club, so again, it hasn't surprised me. I knew exactly what he could bring."
Brentford will also be continuing a push for European football next season.
The Bees have drawn their past five matches, but sit ninth in the table, and a win against United would see them leapfrog Brighton and Hove Albion into sixth position.
Brentford has not won at Old Trafford since its return to the Premier League, but Keith Andrews is prepared to attack the challenge and change his side's fortunes.
"It is a special place to play football, for sure, and a special place to go, with the history of the stadium and the football club," he said.
"I think it is just in that bracket of clubs where you want to go and really test yourself as a player. It is a really, really tough test for us.
"I just think it is a game for us that we should attack. We should embrace the challenge of it, and it has been a while since we have been able to do that."
