Thierry Henry: Man United ace is playing a ‘different ball game’ to everyone else, he’s just on another level

Thierry Henry singled out Bruno Fernandes for once again being a cut above the rest in Manchester United’s derby triumph.Back operating in his favoured attacking role further afield, the United skipper is still pulling all the strings at the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.To nobody’s surprise, he was at his world-class best during last Saturday’s clash against Manchester City, during which he assisted Bryan Mbeumo for the opening goal via an emphatic counter-attacking move from United. Bryan Mbeumo. Stretford End. ERUPTION! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/v1RbPqcs9q — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 17, 2026What Henry had to say about Fernandes(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Reacting to the breakthrough on Sky Sports last night, Henry said (as per UtdDistrict): “This guy (Fernandes) is not playing football, he’s thinking about it. That’s a different ball game for me.“He doesn’t just pass the ball for the sake of passing it, this guy thinks. He made that happen. Yes, I know people will say, ‘it’s easy’ – it is not easy.”In the 19 appearances Fernandes has made this campaign, he has returned five goals and nine assists, and is averaging a rating of 7.96 on Fotmob.Remarkably, he has created the most chances of any player across Europe’s top five leagues since 2025/2026 got underway. Bruno Fernandes has created more chances (56) than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues this season 😮 pic.twitter.com/nQfuUcjiCK — ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 19, 2026Fernandes striving to secure Champions League qualification with Michael Carrick(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)It goes without saying that the 31-year-old will continue being as integral under Michael Carrick as he has for every other United coach he’s played under. Appearances Goals Assists 311 103 96 Carrick and his men face another substantial test this weekend when they travel to North London to take on league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates.United enter the contest sitting just one point adrift of the top four, with Liverpool currently occupying the final Champions League spot ahead of their fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday evening.Read more: Whitwell – ‘Enquiry made’, United now in touch with Euro ‘giants’ over £51m midfielder