Bruno Fernandes Man United s visionary leader

BILBAO – Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s shining light in a desperate season. Now he has one more task – to drag them over the line in the Europa League final.

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 5½-year United career.

The Red Devils will finish in their lowest league position this season since they were relegated in 1974.

But Fernandes has the chance to lead the team to Europa League glory in Bilbao on May 21 against fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur.

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 campaign, his second-best season tally since being brought to Old Trafford by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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