According to the Manchester Evening News, Jorge Jesus' demanding approach to Bruno Fernandes during international duty could serve as a blueprint for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

After rediscovering his form with Portugal, Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to Manchester United revitalised. The midfielder took over the Portuguese captain's armband and delivered an impressive performance against Denmark, providing two assists in a 4-2 victory that extended Portugal's perfect record in the Nations League.

In his first training camp as Portugal's coach, Jorge Jesus has shown a willingness to make tough decisions. With Cristiano Ronaldo absent, the team has taken on a new identity—one centred around Bruno Fernandes' creative talents. In Copenhagen, Bruno captained Portugal for the first time in a competitive match in his 96-cap career, setting up goals for Gonçalo Ramos and Vitinha.

The captaincy appears to be elevating Bruno's game. Similarly, his performances improved after he assumed the Manchester United armband at Old Trafford, and there is now no question about his leadership credentials or the positive impact his captaincy has on his performances.

It may be no coincidence that the last time Bruno Fernandes provided two assists in a single international match, Ronaldo was also unavailable. Without Ronaldo, Portugal prioritised team cohesion, enabling other players to flourish.

Jesus' post-match assessment of Bruno's display offers valuable insight. He said: "Bruno Fernandes played better in the second half than in the first. At halftime, I told him the team needed more from him. For players in that position, I make certain demands, but I felt those demands were not met in the first half. So I told Bruno: 'You have to do more in these areas because if you don't, our game won't flow smoothly.' In the second half, he played much better and was crucial, providing the pass for Vitinha's goal. He found space that others might have missed, but for players who know how to exploit it, that's invaluable."

Bruno remains a key figure for Manchester United this season, but his form has been inconsistent. After scoring a hat-trick against Ipswich Town and a goal against Sabah FC, his performances dipped. He suffered an injury against Sabah and subsequently had underwhelming displays against Manchester City and Fulham. Jesus has proven that pushing this playmaker to higher standards works. As Bruno's international influence grows, Carrick—or Ruben Amorim if he takes the Manchester United job—should consider applying similar demands to unlock the best version of Bruno Fernandes.

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