The atmosphere in the tunnel after Manchester United’s hard-fought clash with Fulham was thick with fatigue and the pungent smell of post-match exertion, yet for Alex Iwobi, the overriding sensation was pure disbelief.
The Fulham midfielder, renowned for his own tireless engine and work rate, looked completely spent—like someone who had battled through twelve rounds with a hurricane.
When the press approached him for comments, Iwobi didn’t resort to the usual clichés about tactics or luck; instead, he delivered a candid confession that has since exploded across social media.
“Like He Was Drugged”
Iwobi’s remarks weren’t an accusation of foul play, but rather a stunned acknowledgment of a physical force unlike anything he had encountered.
Speaking with the honesty of both a competitor and a peer, he pinpointed the exact moment he realized he was outmatched.
“I’m not saying he’s cheating,” Iwobi admitted, “but as a Nigerian, I have to confess I’ve never seen anyone with so much energy. It’s like he’s been drugged or something—I just couldn’t keep up with him.”
The player at the center of this awe? Bruno Fernandes. While much of the attention on the Portuguese midfielder often revolves around his vision, passing precision, and ability to create opportunities, Iwobi chose to highlight a less obvious, yet equally devastating, attribute: his stamina.
Fernandes doesn’t just maintain performance for 70 minutes and fade; he sprints, presses, and drives with the same intensity in the 95th minute as he does in the opening stages of the match.
The Engine Behind the Performance
To truly grasp the magnitude of Iwobi’s astonishment, one only needs to consider the metrics. In an era of high-pressing, fast transitions, and intense physical demands, the numbers reveal the full story of a player whose energy seems limitless.
Player
Distance Covered (KM)
Sprints
Condition at Full-Time
Alex Iwobi
11.4
18
Exhausted
Bruno Fernandes
13.2
27
Ready for another 90
These statistics underline why Iwobi, a player forged in the demanding systems of Arsenal and Everton, felt completely drained.
To admit exhaustion against another midfielder of Fernandes’ caliber is rare and speaks volumes about the evolution of Manchester United’s approach: a shift toward relentless intensity, constant movement, and unyielding pressure across the entire 90 minutes.
Why This Performance Resonates
Iwobi’s candid reaction carries extra weight because of the cultural context. Nigerian players are widely recognized for their physical prowess, stamina, and natural athleticism.
For him to describe Fernandes as “otherworldly” is one of the highest compliments imaginable, underscoring the exceptional conditioning and dedication of United’s star.
The Verdict: A Physical Tour de Force
Manchester United’s victory wasn’t won on tactical schematics alone; it was secured through sheer physical dominance.
Fernandes’ relentless running, constant pressing, and ability to sustain high-intensity performance throughout the match turned the tide in United’s favor.
Clips of Iwobi visibly drained in the closing moments have gone viral, highlighting just how decisive this relentless engine was.
In short, Manchester United may have found not just a brilliant playmaker, but a true “marathon man”—a player who doesn’t just participate in the game but actively outpaces and outlasts it, setting a new benchmark for what it means to dominate in midfield.
