Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring at Everton

The amazing away-goal stat that sums up Bruno's influence

Monday 09 November 2020 13:19

Bruno Fernandes’s extraordinarily productive first year at Manchester United was once again evident during Saturday’s win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Our no.18’s first-half double against the Toffees effectively settled a blood-and-thunder contest, with the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder notching the 100th and 101st goals of his senior club career.

After weighing in with his fair share of snarling challenges in a bitty and attritional second period, Bruno then laid on Edinson Cavani’s maiden strike for United to complete an imperious afternoon on Merseyside personally.

And an extraordinary stat, posted by Opta midway through the first half on Saturday, highlighted just how big an influence the Portuguese midfielder asserts on this United side, especially away from home.

Bruno’s away record: 10 games, 10 goals Video

Bruno’s away record: 10 games, 10 goals

Spend the next five minutes watching every single one of Bruno Fernandes’s Premier League goals on the road…

The 26-year-old’s bullet header to level the scores on 25 minutes was his ninth goal on the road in the Premier League since he signed in late January.

That effort, when added to four assists, took him to 13 away goal involvements in the top-flight – the most any player has managed in their opening 10 games in the division.

Bruno’s second, plus the late assist for Cavani, means that record has now been stretched even further.

In fact, Fernandes has only failed to get on the scoresheet or set up a team-mate once in 10 away league outings for the Reds – the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in July. He was far from quiet that night too. It was his pass that set up Marcus Rashford but the fact it was deflected off Mamadou Sakho denied him the assist. He also hit the woodwork and played the so-called 'second-assist' for Anthony Martial's clincher.

United have won eight of those 10 matches, meaning that – even in an era where the absence of fans dulls the traditional home advantage – we’ve taken more points (26) on the road since Bruno’s debut than any other side, including Tottenham (21), Manchester City (17) and champions Liverpool (15).

And, although United’s form at Old Trafford in 2020/21 is in need of improvement, Bruno has played an integral part in us equalling the club record for most consecutive league wins on the road (seven) – he’s now scored and assisted at the Amex, St James’ Park and Goodison Park this season, with St Mary’s Stadium (home of Southampton, where we travel on 29 November) next on the hit-list.

Fernandes: We needed to be positive Video

Fernandes: We needed to be positive

"It’s important to win, to look forward and to try to catch everyone in front of us," says our two-goal hero...

BRUNO FERNANDES IN AWAY PL GAMES

2019/20
Chelsea – 1 assist (A)
Everton – 1 goal (G)
Tottenham – 1G
Brighton – 2G
Aston Villa – 1G, 1A
Crystal Palace - 
Leicester – 1G

2020/21
Brighton – 1G, 1A
Newcastle – 1G, 1A
Everton – 2G, 1A

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