Jorge Jesus, in his first camp as Portugal head coach, has shown a willingness to take tough decisions and ruffle feathers, and his approach could benefit Manchester United. The wily veteran's handling of Bruno Fernandes during Portugal's 4-2 win over Denmark on Thursday night may offer a blueprint for United interim manager Michael Carrick.
Fernandes shines as Portugal captain
In Copenhagen, Fernandes captained his country in a competitive game for the first time in a 96-cap career, delivering two assists to set up goals for Goncalo Ramos and Vitinha. The performance came with Cristiano Ronaldo absent, and it is hard to see why Portugal would return to the 41-year-old now.
Jesus has taken the tough decisions his predecessors couldn't, and other star players are coming to the fore. This feels like it's Bruno Fernandes' Portugal now, just as it should have been during the World Cup.
Jesus' half-time demand
Jesus revealed he challenged Fernandes at half-time to raise his game. "Bruno Fernandes played a better second half than he did in the first," said Jesus. "During the interval I told him the team needed more from him."
"I ask and demand certain things from my players in that position and I felt they weren't happening in the game. That's why I said to Bruno, 'Bruno, you have to do more of this, this and this because if you don't do it in your position, our game won't work out so well.' And in the second half I believe he was much better, he was crucial. He played a remote-controlled pass for Vitinha's goal."
Carrick could follow suit
Being made captain of his country could elevate Fernandes to another level, just as being handed the armband at Old Trafford saw him raise his game. At 32, he still has another European Championship and potentially another World Cup in him, and United should benefit if he has the added fuel of wanting to lead his country into those tournaments as captain.
Fernandes is again the main man for United this season, but since his hat-trick against Ipswich and goal against Sabah, he has gone off the boil. He is struggling with an injury picked up in the Sabah game and was ineffective against Manchester City and Fulham. Jesus has shown that challenging the playmaker can yield results, and with new motivation in sight, Carrick should be able to do the same back at United.
