COMMENT: Is he worthy? Oh yeah, on Saturday's evidence at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes definitely proved himself worthy of the Manchester United captaincy...
Erik ten Hag raised it before the campaign kicked off. Of course, Fernandes had worn the armband countless times last season. A captain in everything but name on matchday. But the official honour changes things. As we've stated in past columns, at some clubs the captaincy is handed out to the one in charge of the coin toss - and little else. But not at Manchester United. Not with the names associated with the role. Being United club captain matters. And as obvious a choice it was, Ten Hag banked on the responsibility lifting Fernandes' game to a new level.
It wasn't Bryan Robson against Diego Maradona and Barcelona on Saturday, but it was pretty close. Fernandes was involved in everything. Every stage of United's fight-back against Nottingham Forest, Fernandes was there, in the thick of it. It was a leader's performance. A captain's performance. And it just had to be United's No8 who took the responsibility to convert that matchwinning spotkick in the second-half.
Of course, there was relief amongst the home side's coaching staff. Two goals down inside the first four minutes. And in a game which should be a home banker. There was a mixture of relief, but also pride, from Ten Hag in his reaction to the team's 3-2 triumph.
The pride was with his choice in captain. And the Dutchman was eager to highlight Fernandes' performance in the aftermath. The likes of Ten Hag insist they don't pay attention to the exes in the media - but they do. His reaction on Saturday, with just a few short soundbites on his skipper, was enough of a riposte to suggest he'd been irked by the criticism of the Portuguese.
"You ask the question [about him] but he showed why we pick him as a leader and a captain," Ten Hag declared.
"He is a brilliant captain, by example, an inspiration. He brings the quality, keeps going. I think he played a very impressive game."
As the manager says, Fernandes was "very impressive". Bright. Inventive. The canny free-kick involving Marcus Rashford for Casemiro's equaliser epitomised his performance. Always alive. Always positive. Always willing to "keep going". Fernandes drove United to victory with a display that can only be good for his own confidence and that of his teammates.
But he didn't do it alone. Indeed, it can be argued that Marcus Rashford was just as influential - if not more so - than his captain. Reverting to his inside left role, Rashford appeared a different player to what we'd seen from this season's opening two games. He was positive. Adventurous. And had a hand in all three of United's goals. Indeed, it was even the attacker who was United's last man for Forest's opener as he attempted to chase down Taiwo Awoniyi.
The performance and positioning of Rashford does offer Ten Hag some credence when he insists his squad doesn't need another centre-forward signing. For this column, we'd disagree. But a fully fit Rasmus Hojlund leading the line as a central target. No matter the adjustment period the Dane will require. It does offer the team greater balance - and Ten Hag the opportunity to play Rashford in his favoured role. Hojlund may need time to adapt, but if it means Rashford playing as he did on Saturday, the result will be a positive for United.
Of course, three points against a ten-man Forest team isn't the stuff of title winners. Though we'd argue that Steve Cooper and Evan Marinakis are building something capable of competing consistently in the Premier League. But the manner of the victory. And those who drove it. It garners a type of momentum much needed after the team's sketchy first two games of the season.
There was a fluidity to United's play. It wasn't tiki taka. But it was definitely a step up from the previous fortnight. And it was no coincidence that it also marked a first start of the season for Christian Eriksen. The Dane's goal before halftime set up the hosts for this fight-back. And while he flitted in and out, Eriksen will be stronger for getting the full 90 under his belt. While it's gone under the radar, the midfield schemer's season-ending ankle injury in April contributed much to how United's season fizzled out last term.
Where that leaves Mason Mount, well that's a problem - a welcome problem - for Ten Hag. But there's no doubt, United were a better, more free-flowing team last season with Eriksen pulling the strings. Again, his return to full fitness has been somewhat lost amongst all the transfer and Mason Greenwood headlines swirling around Old Trafford this summer. But Eriksen's presence, with his intelligence, his passing range, should not underestimated. Of all the options available to Ten Hag, it's the former Ajax protégé, more than anyone else, who can bring his system together.
We saw hints of that on Saturday. But it was Fernandes' day. He was the driver. The inspiration. It was a performance worthy of a Manchester United captain.
