Middlesbrough supporters must be looking at Fulham star with disbelief: View | OneFootball

There’s always a risk when it comes to signing players on loan for all clubs in the Championship.

Will the player settle? Are they fully motivated knowing they can return to their parent club? Can they adapt to your style of play?

These are just some of the questions that managers will have when they opt to make a short-term addition, and Middlesbrough are a club that have experienced both the positives and negatives of loan signings over the years.

Rodrigo Muniz’s struggles at Middlesbrough

Ryan Giles, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer were all examples of successful loans at the Riverside Stadium last season, as they all played a big part in helping Michael Carrick’s men to a top six finish.

However, one player who didn’t hit the heights expected was Rodrigo Muniz.

The Brazilian arrived at Fulham from Flamengo in the summer of 2021, but he would spend most of his first season in English football as second fiddle to Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage.

Therefore, following the Cottagers’ promotion, a temporary switch to Boro was arranged, and it had been hoped that Muniz could flourish on Teesside. But, that didn’t happen.

In fairness to the striker, it should be pointed out that a change in management wasn’t ideal, but Muniz didn’t take the opportunities he was given on the pitch.

Overall, he managed just two goals in 17 appearances in the second tier, and he fell so far out of favour under Carrick that he often wouldn’t make the matchday squad.

Rodrigo Muniz impresses for Fulham

Yet, fast forward just over a year, and Muniz is now starring in the Premier League, having scored five goals and registered one assist in his last five games. Such form has seen the 22-year-old nominated for the Player of the Month award in February.

And, it’s not just that Muniz is hitting a purple patch in front of goal, as his all-round game has been superb for Marco Silva’s side.

He is the focal point they’ve lacked at times this season, with his work-rate and energy key to their positive form over the past month.

Plus, it’s not like that they’ve had easy games, as Fulham’s latest victories have come against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and then against Brighton.

Raul Jimenez’s injury has presented Muniz with an opportunity, and he’s grasped it with both hands, to the extent that January recruit Armando Broja is sitting on the bench.

You’d forgive Middlesbrough fans if they’d been rubbing their eyes watching Match of the Day in the past few weeks, as they won’t believe it’s the same player they had.

Again, it’s not just about the goals, but Muniz often struggled and sometimes looked disinterested when he was in a red shirt. He wasn’t linking play in the way Carrick wanted, and he didn’t seem to be on the same wavelength as his teammates.

Muniz’s turnaround isn’t a dig at Carrick, as he had Archer and Chuba Akpom scoring goals and playing well, so they weren’t exactly lacking up top.

However, his form right now shows how quickly things can change for players, and whilst his time at Middlesbrough was forgettable, it may have provided Muniz with the motivation he needed to go back to show Fulham what he is capable of.