Man Utd verdict: Darts fan Fernandes finally hits the Bullseye with beauty as he reminds Red Devils he can be main man

BRUNO FERNANDES revealed he enjoys a game of darts with his team mates now he has become an adopted Mancunian.

And on the football field he finally hit the Bullseye with a second half beauty – to put an indifferent past few weeks behind him.

Just one goal and one assist in the first nine Premier League matches suggested that – like many an amateur darts player - he needs to work on his finishing.

Yet his curling effort 20 minutes from time here after Fred’s shot was blocked by Eric Dier was perfectly flighted.

The sensational start he made to life in England back in January 2020 has felt like a long time ago.

Fernandes provided 29 goals and 19 assists during his first 53 Premier League appearances after joining from Sporting Lisbon.

But following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer almost a year ago, the 28-year-old has lost his way.

Some United fans have wondered if playing alongside his fellow Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo really suits him.

Yet he was given a glowing endorsement from his manager Erik ten Hag on the eve of this game.

The Dutchman has stood by him despite having plenty of numbers in central midfield - playing him in every minute so far.

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He said Fernandes has been “magnificent” and said he was the perfect example as the stand-in skipper in the absence of Harry Maguire.

Maybe those words provided the kind of boost Fernandes needed as this was much more like it.

An audacious dummy early on allowed midfield partner Fred to open up the Spurs defence for the first time.

His free-kick from 20 yards brought a flying save out of Hugo Lloris while he then slapped an effort over the bar.

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It was a clever pass from Fernandes that sent Marcus Rashford through but again Lloris was down well to make the save.

While there was no addition to his numbers, he contributed plenty to a hugely encouraging first half show from the Red Devils when all that was missing for them was a goal.

And that was the point Ten Hag had made before the game – that he was heavily involved in all of United’s best work even if the end product was missing.

All that changed when he pounced on a loose ball after Fred’s shot had been blocked and showed he had lost none of the instincts that made him such a favourite here.

From then he really had his swagger back and was starting to dictate the game.

He burst clear onto a sweeping pass from Rashford to finish with style and show he had his confidence back – only for the linesman’s flag to cut his celebration short.

Even so, he had played a huge part in United’s best performance of the season – now he needs to build on it.