Do Man Utd have a Bruno Fernandes problem? | OneFootball

When it comes to Manchester United, there’s no question that Bruno Fernandes is the club’s talisman. However, their skipper may low-key be a hindrance rather than an inspiration.

Former midfielder and popular figure Juan Mata strongly suggested that head coach Erik ten Hag would be foolish not to build United’s team around him. Those comments were made during a challenging 2023/24 campaign when Fernandes, not exactly setting the world on fire, was among the Red Devils’ better-performing players (which admittedly wasn’t a high bar to clear).

“The culture of the club should be built around him,” were Mata’s own words. “For me, he’s the one that is always there for the team. He can play better or worse, but he’s always there with the right attitude. And for me, that’s what being a Manchester United player is.”

No one can deny Fernandes’ influence following his belated arrival from Sporting CP in January 2020, but he’s not meeting those lofty standards right now. He’s registered 79 goals and created 70 more in all competitions for the record 20-time English champions, with 54 strikes and 41 assists in the Premier League.

As mentioned, Fernandes was the beacon of light in an otherwise dark period for United last term. He created a league-high 114 chances, subsequently becoming the seventh player on record (since 2003–04) to create 100+ chances in consecutive seasons in the competition and the first since Kevin De Bruyne in 2017/18.

Speaking of whom, earlier in that campaign, Manchester City’s creator-in-chief De Bruyne was asked to rank his favourite creative midfielders to watch in England’s top division. Given the choice between Fernandes, James Maddison, and Martin Ødegaard, the Belgian put his neighbour in the top spot.

It goes without saying that no athlete can live on past accolades or success alone; they are required to constantly update their résumé and be judged in the present. Yes, form is temporary, but it can be fatal, and currently, there’s something going awry.

Heading into the sixth Premier League matchday of the 2024/25 season, he’s registered more shots without scoring than any other player in England’s top division (17). Meanwhile, only Cameron Archer (2.3) and Evanilson (2) have amassed a higher xG without finding the net so far than Fernandes (1.9).

To add further context, Fernandes has attempted 25.8% of United’s total shot output (66), with them going on to post the third-highest xG in the Premier League this season (9.6) but have scored just five goals. Only Southampton has a bigger negative difference between their goals (2) and expected goals (7.1) so far this term.

His reputation, coupled with being Ten Hag’s lieutenant on the pitch, has made Fernandes undroppable, but it’s worth considering his workload as something that could go against him in the near future. Of the 171 league matches United have played since his signing, the Portuguese international has featured in 164, or 96% availability, missing three games through injury and being suspended for the same amount.

No one is suggesting he should be dropped, though it’s worth perhaps leaving him out and seeing how United fares without being overly dependent on their captain. This would force Ten Hag to get creative with his attacking setup, and despite being much-maligned in England, we’ve seen the Dutch tactician successfully think outside the box when leading Ajax in the past.

A little time spent on the sidelines could do both club and player a world of good.