Bruno Fernandes has ended one Man Utd debate - now Ruben Amorim must be careful

The clock had ticked past midnight and was counting down to Good Friday morning when was making his way along a wall of hardy fans asking for a signature or selfie. Or both. The skipper was obliging the supporters, as he always does, win, lose or draw.

There has been plenty of discussion about the suitability of Fernandes for the United captaincy and some people who should know better have questioned if his character befits the role. As the man who has done a lot more than anyone to stop a mediocre season becoming a disastrous one, Fernandes has surely ended the captaincy discussion.

If he had not convinced everyone he is a good leader of this United team, he surely

It might not have looked that way had ten-man Lyon held on for victory. Having produced an outrageous rabona pass when United were two up early in the second half, it could have looked as though Fernandes was showboating. And paying the price.

But looking at it again, it was not. It was very much a rabona pass with a purpose. And Fernandes played a big part in that astonishing, three-goal, late revival, orchestrating efforts and calmly converting the penalty for the first of those three comeback goals.

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He also had a key part in Manuel Ugarte’s early opener and produced one of the most audacious volleys of the season which, unfortunately, smashed against the crossbar. If you forgive him the rabona, it was a virtuoso performance from Fernandes, one that, at times, looked too good for the level of football he was playing at.

When making a list of individuals who carry the most importance to their Premier League team, Fernandes must be right up there at the top. And that is why Ruben Amorim might try and wrap him in cotton wool over these next couple of weeks, ahead of the semi-final against Athletic Club in Bilbao.

In the wake of the dramatic quarter-final triumph, Amorim said: “I felt Bruno Fernandes was tired so I have to be careful with Bruno. I cannot promise but I will try.”

No wonder he was tired. Fernandes has started 31 of United’s 32 Premier League games, playing a full 90 minutes in 25 of those games.

He has started 11 of United’s 12 Europa League games, playing a whole match in 10 of those. He played three full FA Cup matches, two of which went to extra-time. He had two 90-minute stints in the Carabao Cup. He has been tireless.

Which is why Amorim might even think about not starting his captain against Wolves at Old Trafford this Sunday and at Brentford on Sunday week. But when Amorim says he will ‘try’, it is because he knows the idea of Fernandes sitting out a Premier League game for which he is available would infuriate the Portuguese player.

That is one of the reasons Bruno Fernandes is a good captain of Manchester United. And that is one of the reasons United fans cannot dare to imagine what they would do without him.

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