Bruno Fernandes is badly out of form and failed to create a single chance

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United needed Bruno Fernandes to improve after a lacklustre performance against Arsenal.

He certainly tried, but the magic in his boots just was not there.

Fernandes had more touches of the ball than any midfielder on the pitch (105).

There was a time that giving Fernandes more than 100 touches would guarantee a win. Not at the moment.

Fernandes did not create a single chance. Not from open play, nor from a set piece.

It wasn’t for lack of effort. But there was some poor decision making factored in.

Early in the first half Fernandes broke free of the Istanbul Basaksehir midfield and space opened up for him to slip a ball into an open Marcus Rashford.

Fernandes hesitated, and tried to take on his man, before losing the ball. It was a decision which cost United a clear shot at goal.

The team managed only one shot on target in the first half and there was not much improvement after the break either.

Fernandes completed only 73 per cent of his passes, wasting possession far too frequently.

In his defence, Rashford and Martial offered little and struggled to get into space.

Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata also failed to make a big impact, with United’s midfield system simply not clicking.

But Fernandes saw too much of the ball to make excuses. This was just not good enough, and we know he is capable of far more.

His place in the team against Everton is at risk this weekend and he is not the only one.

• Mateus Fernandes deal could make Ederson an absolutely crucial player for Man Utd in a very different way
• Alongside Mateus Fernandes, super agent Jorge Mendes could bring another midfielder to Man Utd
• Analysing Ayyoub Bouaddi’s style of play: ‘Elegant’ midfielder is perfect for Man United
• €60m Marc Cucurella deal could trigger domino effect that is terrible for Manchester United
• Man Utd are about to have a proud academy moment in the World Cup involving Hannibal
• Man Utd fans decide between signing Mateus Fernandes or Elliot Anderson this summer
• Carlo Ancelotti explains why Matheus Cunha was dropped for Brazil’s World Cup opener
• What Man Utd’s data department has decided about £85m target Mateus Fernandes
• How Ruben Amorim taking over at AC Milan saves Man Utd millions, figures explained
• Why Kobbie Mainoo is the biggest winner from Casemiro’s World Cup disaster with Brazil