A statistic emerged this week which rather sums up how the season has gone so far for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Only two players in the whole of the Premier League have underperformed their ‘expected goals’ tally more than the Portugal international; Fulham’s Adama Traore and Tottenham’s new £65 million striker Dominic Solanke.
Statistically, Bruno Fernandes should have scored around twice in the top-flight this term based on the quality of the chances that have come his way.
But, after a profligate performance in Manchester United’s opening day win over Fulham and after missing a glorious opportunity in the stalemate with Crystal Palace, Fernandes is yet to get off the mark for Erik ten Hag in 2024/25.
So it’s no wonder, really, that Fernandes is itching to get back on the scoresheet once club football resumes after the October international break.
Bruno Fernandes desperate to start scoring again for Manchester United
“I want to improve as soon as I get [back to Man United], and make sure the goals start coming again,” Fernandes says, via the club’s official website.
“I have to take responsibility for that too, because I’m a midfielder who scores a lot of goals. And, over the years, I’ve always been at a very high level in terms of goals and I have to live up to that, with those expectations.
“I also have my own standards, I don’t hold back on that.
“I haven’t scored for the club yet and I hope that as soon as I get there I can score and help the club get back to winning ways and to a good level.”
Fernandes’ first full season at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw him hit the net a remarkable 28 times. Even last year, in what was at times a difficult season for the Red Devils skipper, he still ended up with 15 to his name.
On current form, it feels unlikely that Fernandes will even reach double figures. And it goes without saying that this is a problem for a Man United side who continue to squander opportunities at one end while gift-wrapping goals to the opposition at the other.
Mike Phelan backs Fernandes to silence his critics under Erik ten Hag
Former United coach Mike Phelan is convinced Fernandes will find form again sooner rather than later. Class, as they say, is permanent after all.
“He has been consistently producing,” says Phelan, who worked as an assistant for Sir Alex Ferguson before returning under Solskjaer.
“He is just going through probably a moment now where he needs a little bit of help himself. You can’t always give help to other people.
“He needs a little bit of help himself. There are times when players are little bit off it.
“He has set himself a high standard. It’s just not working out for him now. I am sure he will be the first one to be thinking how he can improve personally, but also as a captain, he will be thinking how he can improve the team, the group.
“He never shies away from his responsibility, but right now, he is just another player in that group of players that is not finding the true potential.”
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