Gary Lineker has identified Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a genuine contender for the Premier League Player of the Season award, placing him in the same conversation as Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes. The Match of the Day presenter made his comments on The Rest is Football podcast, highlighting Fernandes' exceptional recent form under caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
Fernandes' Impressive Form Under Carrick
The Portuguese playmaker continued his superb campaign during Sunday's thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham, providing two assists to take his seasonal tally to twelve. At 31 years old, Fernandes has contributed five goals alongside those dozen assists, becoming instrumental in Manchester United's resurgence into Champions League qualification positions.
Lineker believes Fernandes is benefiting significantly from playing in a more advanced role under Carrick's management, having previously been deployed in deeper positions by former manager Ruben Amorim. The tactical adjustment has allowed Fernandes to showcase his creative talents more effectively, with Lineker describing him as a 'bloody good footballer' who deserves serious consideration for the league's top individual honour.
Strong Competition for the Award
While Fernandes represents Manchester United's primary candidate, Lineker acknowledged several other strong contenders for the Player of the Season accolade. Arsenal's influential midfield anchor Declan Rice and commanding centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes both received mentions for their outstanding contributions to the Gunners' title challenge and Champions League campaign.
Manchester City's prolific striker Erling Haaland also remains in contention, with Lineker noting that the Norwegian forward will inevitably return to scoring form. The former England striker emphasised that while it's still early in the calendar year, Fernandes' continued excellence could see him emerge as a frontrunner if Manchester United maintain their positive trajectory.
Podcast Insights and Analysis
During the podcast discussion, Lineker elaborated on his assessment: 'We were talking earlier about the Player of the Year award and possible frontrunners. It's only February so it's early, but if United continue to go really well and Bruno gets a few more goals and assists... I mean, who else would be in the running?'
Fellow pundit Micah Richards added his perspective on Fernandes, who has already won Manchester United's Player of the Season award four times: 'He's a top, top player. The manager is playing him in the right position and he's shining. Even when United weren't doing great he always stepped up with something.'
Carrick's Impact and Future Considerations
The brilliant start to Carrick's tenure as caretaker manager has inevitably sparked discussions about his potential appointment on a permanent basis. Lineker expressed admiration for Carrick's initial impact but cautioned against premature decision-making.
'What a great start for Michael Carrick - it's great for him and a real lift for the club the way it's started,' Lineker commented. 'I can't see there's any real point of making a decision before the end of the season. You can't win three or four games and make the decision and give him a contract.'
He continued: 'The sensible thing would be to wait until the end of the season and see how it goes and then look at the situation. But he's done everything right so far. He's clearly an intelligent guy, we could see that by the way he played. It's a really, really good start.'
The debate surrounding Player of the Season contenders promises to intensify as the Premier League campaign progresses, with Fernandes' performances under Carrick's management positioning him as a compelling candidate alongside established stars from rival clubs.
