Cristiano Ronaldo re-signing for Manchester United was always bound to divert some attention from Bruno Fernandes.
However, as the two Portuguese superstars continue to go about their business at Old Trafford, it's the latter who tops the pile, once again, in terms of chances created during the 2021/2022 season.
Fernandes has taken to the Premier League like, arguably, no other player in history.
Indeed, since touching down following a £56.7million move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, the 27-year-old has scored 44 goals and provided 28 assists from 90 games in all competitions.
He might only have one assist to his name in the Premier League this campaign, but the latest statistics hint that could be due to other players being unable to convert those chances.
According to the official records, the 36-cap international has carved out 23 opportunities for Ronaldo and his other United colleagues.
That puts Fernandes two clear of Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) and Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United), while fit-again Wolves frontman Raul Jimenez (19 chances) sits narrowly behind those three after recovering from a fractured skull which threatened his career.
When stacked up against assist totals, that's all the more eye-catching given Paul Pogba has directly contributed to seven goals already this term — including four on the opening day.
Fernandes has appeared in all seven Premier League games so far, scoring four goals — the same number as his compatriot Ronaldo when it comes to domestic action.
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