Why Fernandes is Rashford’s ‘perfect’ team-mate

Speaking in a press conference before the first of our two Europa League meetings with Real Betis, Rashford professed his love of sharing the pitch with our no.8, after being asked by a journalist for an insight into what it’s like to play with Fernandes. 

While their connection has been clear to see since the latter’s arrival from Sporting in January 2020, a statistic from Opta ahead of our next outing highlights the chemistry that they have developed, and the influence Bruno has had on Marcus’s memorable term thus far.

It states that Fernandes has created 34 chances for Rashford in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other player has set up for a team-mate in the 2022/23 competition. 

What’s more, since this information became available to Opta in 2006/07, that number has only been bettered on two occasions - both have United connections. 

The record for chances created by one player for another in a single season is currently held by Fernandes’s midfield counterpart at United, Christian Eriksen, who teed up 40 scoring opportunities for Harry Kane during Tottenham’s 2017/18 term. 

The previous best was set in 2015/16, when to-be Red Odion Ighalo was not in short supply for openings crafted out by his former forward partner at Watford, Troy Deeney, who set up 39 for him across that top-flight campaign.

Rashford’s last United strike came in April's draw away to Tottenham and was assisted by a flighted ball into his path from Fernandes.

While that is the most recent instance of this specific connection (Fernandes the provider, Rashford the finisher) linking up to good effect, their chemistry is likely to be important in our final four Premier League games of the season, and in June 3's FA Cup final too.

United host Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday looking to return to winning ways in pursuit of a top-four place, following last weekend’s loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.