The Portuguese midfield maestro unleashed by the Red Devils’ new midfield manager

Man Utd are used to Bruno Fernandes regularly scoring goals and providing assists, but this season, they haven’t come as often as before.

Bruno Fernandes for Man Utd this season

Bruno Fernandes, usually a creative force, has had a less productive season, recording only 10 goals and assists combined in all competitions.

The concern deepens as he has managed only six contributions (three goals, three assists) in 18 Premier League games.

This performance is below expectations for one of the best attacking midfielders. Bruno Fernandes hasn’t scored in the Premier League since November 4 and has just one assist since the end of October.

Man Utd’s struggle for goals this season aligns with Fernandes’ reduced attacking numbers, a departure from his usual reliability as a consistent goal and assist contributor.

Previous Encounter Against Nottingham Forest

When Manchester United faced Nottingham Forest, their midfielders, including Bruno Fernandes, played a crucial role in a challenging match.

Despite a tough start, with Forest leading 2-0 in just four minutes, Man Utd’s Christian Eriksen, Fernandes, and Casemiro scored to secure a comeback victory.

Eriksen’s goal before halftime gave hope, while Casemiro equalized, and Fernandes scored the winning penalty.

Fernandes not only scored but also assisted Casemiro’s goal, making it the only game this season where he scored and provided an assist in the Premier League.

This comeback showcased the resilience and teamwork of Man Utd’s midfielders.

A New Tactic in the Manager’s Playbook

In the recent match against Aston Villa, Manager Ten Hag employed a new tactic, placing Kobbie Mainoo and Eriksen in deeper midfield positions to support Fernandes.

Although Mainoo and Eriksen aren’t natural defensive midfielders, their partnership grew stronger during the game, with Mainoo adapting well to the No.6 role.

This allowed Bruno Fernandes to focus on attacking responsibilities, aiming to improve his goal and assist counts.

Despite Man Utd’s other players contributing in the midweek match, Bruno Fernandes has faced challenges in delivering his usual attacking impact this season.

With the right midfield setup, there’s hope to unlock Fernandes’ potential and boost Man Utd’s goal-scoring efforts.