Thierry Henry says Bruno Fernandes ‘killed’ Man Utd teammate in Aston Villa win | Football

Thierry Henry says Bruno Fernandes ‘killed’ teammate Amad Diallo during Manchester United’s Premier League win over Aston Villa.

Fernandes produced a sensational display to help United beat top-four rivals Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford, providing the assist for two of the goals.

Arsenal legend Henry was hugely impressed by Fernandes’ performance and expressed his ‘love’ for the Portuguese playmaker during a segment on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

Henry nicknamed the United captain ‘Braino Fernandes’ due to the fact ‘he doesn’t play football – he thinks football’ and was a step ahead of his rivals throughout the game.

‘If you can control the speed of your brain you’re going to be faster than anyone on the field and this is what this guy has in abundance,’ Henry said of Fernandes.

‘I’ve said it before, he doesn’t play football he thinks football. He did it so well again at the weekend.

‘In the second half he was like the kid at school who’s better than everyone, he just got on the ball and passed it forward whenever he could.

‘Something that people don’t often see with Bruno – because he’s so great on the ball – is his work ethic. He can walk around the pitch if he wants because he’s the best player but then he pops up defending.’

Henry also highlighted the moment Fernandes ‘killed’ Amad for not giving him the ball late on during the match.

Fernandes had made a run behind Aston Villa’s defence but Amad did not pick him out and the United captain was seen berating his teammate for a fair while afterwards.

‘He wanted the ball [off Amad Diallo], he wanted the ball,’ Henry added. ‘He gets the ball after but he’s flat-footed by that point.

‘He wanted the ball from Amad Diallo, not Manuel Ugarte, and I wanted to show that because this is at 3-1 with just a few minutes to go.

‘He killed Amad Diallo for at least seven seconds! That’s just him, he will argue with his Dad or with anyone but he still finds a way.

‘Even when he wins he’s like that, he demands excellence from himself and his teammates. For me, that’s a real leader. Look at him, he’s still going at Amad! He didn’t like it.

‘My name for him now is Braino Fernandes because this guy thinks on the pitch and I love it.’

Fernandes’ two assists against Aston Villa took his overall tally for the season to 16 – the most by a Manchester United player in the Premier League.

The 31-year-old is just four behind the overall Premier League record – held by ex-Arsenal striker Henry and former Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne – with eight games still to play.

Henry has ‘always liked’ Fernandes and says the Portugal international deserves respect for staying at Manchester United during some tough times.

Fernandes has been one of the best players in the world since moving to Old Trafford but may have won more silverware at another club, having only lifted the FA Cup and EFL Cup with United.

The playmaker was also offered a huge salary to leave Manchester United for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer but decided to stay put as he wants to keep playing at the top level.

‘I’ve always liked him,’ Henry said. ‘What he’s been doing at Man United in some difficult moments for the club is outstanding.

‘We have to give him credit as well because he could have walked away but he stayed and he’s fighting in every game, I love him.’

Manchester United have a three-point cushion in third after beating Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and return to Premier League action on Friday night against Bournemouth.

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