The National Times - Bruno Fernandes: Man Utd's visionary leader

United's captain was last week named the fans' player of the year for a record-equalling fourth time, pulling level with Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea.

He also scooped the players' player of the year award for the first time in his United career, which now spans five-and-a-half years.

In truth, there were not any candidates for the awards at Old Trafford, especially as exciting winger Amad Diallo missed a chunk of the campaign with an injury.

United will finish in their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974 after plumbing scarcely believable depths for a club that dominated the first two decades of the Premier League.

But Fernandes has the chance to lead the team to Europa League glory in Bilbao on Wednesday against fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham.

That would be his third trophy in the past three seasons following a League Cup win and an FA Cup triumph, both of which took place under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Fernandes, despite United's struggles, continues to return remarkable figures week after week.

He has racked up 38 goal involvements (19 goals and 19 assists) across 55 games this season, his second-best season tally since being brought to Old Trafford by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

- 'Expectations' -

The midfielder says he pushes himself hard to maintain his standards.

"I just put my expectations always higher than whatever people expect from me, so every season I put new targets on myself, I put new things that I want to improve, to get better, to do better," he told TNT Sports.

"Obviously next level this club is winning trophies, and this is what I want the most."

The former Sporting Lisbon player has shown a particular liking for Europe this season.

He is the joint top-scorer in the Europa League, with seven goals, and has been a pivotal figure during the knockout rounds, scoring a last-16 hat-trick at Old Trafford to see off Real Sociedad and a double against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final first leg.

Few doubt the extent of his talents -- his rare vision and ability to find an opponent.

But his leadership of the club has attracted criticism, even among former players.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has previously criticised Fernandes's "petulance" while former captain Roy Keane earlier this year branded him "not a fighter".

"You have to have a starting point. I go back to it all -- talent is not enough," said Keane. "Bruno's a talented player, but talent's not enough."

United boss Ruben Amorim, though, is in no doubt about the value of his compatriot, who been a rare bright spark during a traumatic first season in the hotseat.

"I think it is easy to understand (his importance), not just because of the numbers but the way he plays, the importance that he has during his five years here," said Amorim.

"He is a top player and we need top players. He is a leader, he's the captain, so he's really important."

Winning the Europa League would take United back into the Champions League and give Fernandes a stage fitting for his impressive talents.

But he wants more and he knows a club of United's stature craves more.

"At United you don't want to be in the top four, you want to win the Premier League, and that's the aim, and we can't hide from that," he said.

"It's the past of the club, it's the history of the club, and it has to be the present and the future of this club, always fighting for that trophy."

W.Phillips--TNT