Manchester United fans will hope for an upturn in on-field performances but this time of year always brings around conversations about the new edition of EA FC.
The first international break of the season is always a frustrating time.
The Premier League season has only just got going and yet players have now been away with their countries.
In this down period for many fans, the attention may turn towards more virtual action and the new EA FC release.
Many may still know the EA Sports series as ‘FIFA’, but the name was changed last year after a much-publicised split from FIFA.
The second release under the EA FC branding, EA FC 25 is now just around the corner – and player ratings for the Ultimate Team game mode are emerging.
Bruno Fernandes rating will baffle Manchester United fans
We have to preface this by saying that ratings for a video game are hardly the most important thing around, but fans and even players do often care about them.
Manchester United’s disappointing campaign last season meant player downgrades on EA FC 25 were always going to happen.
The official Europa League X account has now revealed that United playmaker Bruno Fernandes will be an 87 overall-rated player on EA FC 25.
That is a downgrade from his 88 overall card on EA FC 24, losing one stat in pace, one in shooting, two in passing, one in dribbling, four in defending and two in physicality.
This seems to be an incredibly harsh downgrade and one which will leave United fans baffled.
The United skipper racked up 15 goals in 13 games across 48 games in all competitions last season, continuing to turn in superb numbers despite the team’s disappointing season.
Fans will point to Martin Odegaard as a comparison after the Arsenal playmaker hit 11 goals and 11 assists in 48 games last term.
That is a similar record to Bruno’s, only a little worse, yet he has been given an 89 rating on EA FC 25 – a big upgrade on his 87 overall from last year.
For Bruno to be downgraded and Odegaard upgraded is baffling and the United star appears to have been penalised for his teammates struggling.
Matthijs de Ligt also downgraded
One thing fans will be looking for is the ratings of new signings from the summer transfer window.
Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee are bound to receive upgrades after impressing for Lille and Bologna respectively.
Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t been so fortunate though as he has been downgraded from an 86 overall to and 84 overall.
De Ligt has been dropped four in pace, one in passing, one in dribbling and three in physicality.
The Dutchman was upgraded this time a year ago having excelled in his first season at Bayern Munich.
Now looking to get back on track at United, De Ligt hasn’t impressed on international duty this week.
The hope is that De Ligt will thrive with regular first-team action at United – and he may yet be upgraded again next time around if he can impress under Erik ten Hag.
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