Man Utd duo named and shamed for 'letting down Bruno Fernandes' as problems mount
Bruno Fernandes has been on the receiving end of some heavy criticism this season for his lacklustre Manchester United outings, but he may not be the sole offender
by Ben Crawford · The MirrorOut-of-sorts Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes isn’t being helped by midfield peers Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen.
That's the view of former United marksman Louis Saha, who feels the Portuguese isn’t entirely to blame for his latest wrongdoings. Fernandes has yet to find the back of the net this term, mustering a single assist in the Premier League, and has come under intense fire - alongside his manager Erik ten Hag.
The 30-year-old saw all the negative press funnel down to him after his red card against Tottenham – which was eventually overturned – condemned his struggling side to a 3-0 loss. A second sending-off less than a week later against Porto in the Europa League hasn’t helped matters.
Yet, Saha believes that those around Fernandes aren’t exactly making things easier for the skipper, specifically those out wide, English starlet Mainoo, and creative veteran Eriksen - whose three goals in Europe and the Carabao Cup are the only strikes scored by a Red Devils midfield player this term.
"It could be a bit of bad luck that Bruno Fernandes hasn’t scored yet, he’s hit the bar, and these things happen. He doesn’t seem to be as confident," Saha told Paddy Power. "But, also, Manchester United's tactics are a part of it. He hasn’t been helped and has been given many passes by the wingers.
"His talent does the talking – but when the talent doesn’t talk, you’ll find him struggling. His work rate has been the same, but the team aren’t linking up as well. Some of those tactical choices in midfield – United have good players, but they’re missing the legs.
"Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen are good on the ball, but sometimes they play too deep and not close enough to the strikers. They’re too far away, and their positioning is not right – it's a struggle to watch."
Currently away on international duty with Portugal, Fernandes opened up about the start to the season he's had to endure, coming clean about his struggles and promising improvement.
"As for the club, I want to improve as soon as I get [back] there and make sure the goals start coming again," Fernandes admitted. "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.
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"I also have my own standards, I don’t hold back on that. I haven’t scored for the club yet [this season] 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."
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