Bruno Fernandes was always expected to make an impact at Manchester United - but few could have foreseen how he would transform the club.
The Portuguese playmaker has been integral to a shift in the Red Devils’ mentality and the formation of a team who mean business.
Whilst there have been bumps in the road, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have shown their character in abundance since the arrival of Fernandes.
And two incidents in the space of a week shortly after he arrived at the club underline exactly how the playmaker set the tone after his move from Sporting Lisbon.
Fernandes scored his first goal from open play in the Premier League on March 1 as the Red Devils drew 1-1 with Everton at Goodison Park.
It was a solid result for a United side who had been inconsistent - but he refused to be satisfied and urged his team-mates to be “mad” with the draw.
"With this draw, we need to be a little bit mad, because we need to do much better," he told reporters.
"We need to win the games, because we want a place in the Champions League. So we need to try more, to improve more, and I think in the next games we will be much better.”
When the next game arrived, it seemed Fernandes’ message was heard as United ran out 2-0 winners against arch rivals Manchester City.
And it was a moment in that game in which Fernandes ‘shushed’ opposition manager Pep Guardiola that ushered in the return of a United side who would not be intimidated by anyone.
The midfielder clashed with the Manchester City boss in the second half when he threw the ball away.
Fernandes responded putting his finger to his lips in a 'shush' gesture as they exchanged words with United in the lead.
In response to the incident, Solskjaer said: ”You need a character here, you need character at this club, but this team they have got that.
"They have learned through some hard times this season, because we have been a young team and we have started something we believe in and Bruno has helped that.”
Fernandes later addressed the incident and admitted some regret, but there is no doubt it marked the return of a level of attitude and swagger that had been missing from United.
Fernandes told Sky Sports: "I spoke about this with some friends. Some people think 'Pep's won everything, so who is Bruno to do this to him?' but I think it's about respect.
"Now I'm outside of the pitch, I don't think I'd do this again. But at that moment, the words he said to me made me mad, and on the pitch I'm a little bit… nervous. This is the kind of player I am.
"I have respect for Pep for what he's done for football, because he changed some mentalities in football, but at that moment he didn't respect me and so he didn't deserve me respect at that moment on the pitch. But for me it doesn't matter.”
Fernandes shed new light on the incident when he discussed his attitude on the pitch and the attributes which have helped him set a new tone at Old Trafford.
When asked to describe the type of player he is in an interview on Man United's official website, the Portuguese said: "Warrior, because for me every game is a battle.
"You need to go out to the game and just understand you need to beat your opponent.
"With all of the respect, because you need to have respect for your opponent, but you need to beat them. If you don't beat them, they will beat you. It doesn't matter who is on the other team.
"If it is a friend, because I have friends playing in the Premier League, I don't care. At that moment I will be the biggest enemy they can have.”
Since Fernandes ‘shushed’ Guardiola and demanded his side stop being satisfied with average results, the Red Devils have turned a corner.
After lockdown, Fernandes sent another reminder as to the standards expected when he returned to training and actually quickened his pace in fitness testing.
Fernandes followed that up by leading the charge as United marched into the top four last season before emerging as surprise Premier League title contenders so far this season after a slow start.
Question marks remain at Old Trafford, but Fernandes has ensured that character and attitude is not one of them.
