Thierry Henry has lauded Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for his 'football brain' and leadership, following the midfielder's record-breaking performance in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
Fernandes registered two assists in the match, taking his Premier League tally to 16 this season – surpassing David Beckham's club record of 15 set in 1999/2000. The 31-year-old has been a rare consistent performer for United since joining in 2020.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Henry singled out a moment when Fernandes criticised teammate Amad late in the game, calling it a sign of true leadership. 'He demands excellence from himself and from his teammates. That's a real leader for me,' Henry said.
The Arsenal legend also joked that he now calls Fernandes 'Braino' due to his intelligence on the pitch. 'He doesn't play football, he thinks it,' Henry added, praising the Portuguese's ability to outthink opponents rather than relying on pace.
Henry dissected Fernandes' contributions, including his corner for Casemiro's opening goal, comparing the delivery to Beckham's quality. 'Don't underestimate how difficult that is,' Henry said.
