Man Utd and Fernandes must start to improve

0It is only seven weeks since Bruno Fernandes stood in the Manchester Opera House and spoke of his pride at being named PFA Player of the Year for 2025-26, after an exceptional season.

Fernandes has played every minute of Manchester United's six Premier League games. He has three goals and one assist, all of which came against Ipswich, the second game of the campaign and, so far, his side's only win.

The numbers are actually better than last term, when he scored twice in the opening six games and failed to create any goals.

However, at that point, Fernandes was playing in the deeper midfield role Ruben Amorim preferred. Look a bit deeper and issues emerge.

While this season is Fernandes' second-highest for actual shots, at an average of 3.3 per game – his best was 3.5 in 2020-21 – it is his joint-second-lowest for shots on target, at an average of 0.8. His chance creation (2.5 per game on average) is also the second-lowest of his time at Old Trafford and down significantly on the 4.0 he returned last season.

Even more startlingly, he has created just one 'big chance' so far this season, the lofted pass that sent Bryan Mbeumo running clear of the Ipswich defence on 30 August. Fernandes' average last season was one per game.

But is Fernandes a reason for, or a symptom of, United's malaise?

There is uncertainty over his fitness. Fernandes rarely misses a game but was left out of Portugal's recent Nations League encounter with Norway as national team boss Jorge Jesus said he was "playing through pain".

However, Fernandes was fit enough to return for the final two internationals of the extended break.

Towards the end of last season, when Fernandes' contribution was at its most prolific, Benjamin Sesko was a regular in the number nine role, while Casemiro was the anchor in United's midfield.

Of the nine league goals Sesko has scored in 2026, Fernandes created four, and he was responsible for setting up four of the final five goals Casemiro scored as a Manchester United player from 1 February onwards.

Against Tottenham, it took Fernandes an incredible 23 minutes just to complete a pass.

United must start to improve and that means Fernandes must do the same.

Read more on Fernandes' start to the season