Should Man United have sold Bruno Fernandes or do they still rely on him too much? | OneFootball

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted he feels better playing with country Portugal than his club at this moment.

Times have been tough for Man United this season. The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League with just two wins from their opening seven games. They are also 21st in the early Europa League table, drawing both of their matches so far.

Fernandes himself hasn’t had the best campaign either. He’s been sent off twice across all competitions, although one red card was later rescinded. In 11 matches, Fernandes is also yet to score while providing four assists, with two coming in the EFL Cup against Barnsley.

Early this summer, Fernandes admitted that there was a chance of him leaving Man United in the transfer window.

“I was approached [by other clubs], the club was aware that there was a possibility of me leaving, I had concrete offers. But the club showed that it needed me, that it was at a time of change and that they wanted to do things differently,” he said at the time.

Currently with Portugal for their Nations League matches, Fernandes has spoken more of his season at Man United so far.

“It’s not a positive moment. We’re not winning games, and the national team space is completely different,” he told ESPN.

“I’ve felt very at ease. The dynamics are very good. I’m in my country, I speak my language, and I have better food. I have demonstrated a good level in the national team.

“It’s a space where I feel good and I feel like I can enjoy my football at a very high level, due to the dynamics we have and the quality I have at my side.”

Fernandes was Man United’s standout performer across all competitions last season. Although the bar was fairly low, the Red Devils were fortunate to have their captain at times.

The Portuguese midfielder ended the season with 15 goals and 13 assists in 48 games across all competitions. Only Rasmus Hojlund (16) scored more goals for Man United than Fernandes. But Fernandes led the Red Devils for assists, shots, shots on target, big chances created and chances created.

Across all competitions, Fernandes created 160 chances, 97 more than second-placed Alejandro Garnacho. He was also 21 big chances created ahead of Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.

Per 90 minutes, Fernandes averaged 3.36 chances created and 0.65 big chances across all competitions. Those have both regressed so far this season. In 10 matches across the Premier League, EFL Cup and Europa League, Fernandes has averaged just 1.99 chances created per 90 and 0.35 big chances. He’s also averaging fewer shots per 90 at 2.81 compared to last season’s 2.94.

And he’s no longer Man United’s man main. Rather than fully relying on Fernandes for their chance creation, the Red Devils do have other players currently leading the way.

Christian Eriksen is Man United’s biggest chance creator this season with 19, two more than Fernandes. Rashford has created more big chances at five to Fernandes’ three, while Garnacho has had more shots (28 to 24). But Fernandes does lead with three assists, with no other Man United player managing more than one. Fernandes’ xA of 2.35 is the highest among Man United players.

Fernandes also remains Man United’s main route towards goal. The Portuguese midfielder leads Man United for both final third passes attempted (218) and completed (161) across all competitions. He’s also the outfield player with the most long passes attempted (47) and completed (28).

And Man United may also be worried about Fernandes’ lack of goals. With the Portuguese midfielder failing to find the net this season, Man United have managed just 17 goals in 11 games across all competitions. Ten of those came in back-to-back matches against Southampton and Barnsley.

Man United have failed to score in four separate matches, all coming in the Premier League. Despite having the second-most shots at 24, Fernandes has only hit the target four times