A day before Manchester United’s visit to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the club released a statement about captain Bruno Fernandes. He spoke of “no injuries” but stressed “there is nothing to worry about”. His performance last night suggested otherwise.
Perhaps the injury reference is intended to mediate the criticism that began to surround the Premier League player last season. His form has become an unexpected problem for Michael Carrick, a reflection of Man Utd’s stance in a wider position.
Fernandes, often United’s saviour, is the bane of his side at the moment, the fact is that if he isn’t involved in attack, he offers little else. Clearly, tackling the ball is not the 32-year-old’s role or repertoire. But United’s fragility means they can’t afford to carry passengers either.
Is it too early to hit the panic button?
Bombing Fernandes on the bench would be a brave call by Carrick. Who will replace him for starters? Mason Mount would be an obvious choice. Matheus Cunha can also play as a number 10 player. Both would be an experimental choice in choppy waters. A trip to Leeds on Sunday, live it up Sky Sportswill definitely be considered a winner.
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Of course, Carrick must also consider the importance of dropping his talisman, United’s best player, and an individual who, through all the turmoil, has shown himself to be the true embodiment of Old Trafford’s heart and tradition.
If such a decision backfires, Carrick opens himself up to greater criticism. There is no easy answer.
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Jamie Carragher has analyzed Manchester United’s lack of intensity in their 1-1 draw with Spurs.
To be honest, Fernandes looked the whole season. Maybe his feet are dry at the World Cup this summer. Maybe he’s playing close to the pain barrier. The burden of responsibility is likely to be heavy. The inevitable millstone of Manchester United Football Club.
This is a productive provider does tired I’m tired of being the only thread of positivity. I’m tired of being someone whose performance is so tied to the outcome of games. And a player who has to deal with media critics when those results are unsatisfactory as a captain.
“Maybe they should send Bruno off because he’s not playing his best,” former captain Wayne Rooney said at half-time in Madrid. Still, if Carrick were to bet on one player to provide the spark, it would be Bruno with the moment of quality needed to return to the enemy game at the Metropolitano.
Fernandes has played 96 percent of all available minutes under Carrick. He has only been booked three times – at Man City, Liverpool and Atletico on Tuesday – and all after the 81st minute. He has only been on the bench once in the EFL Cup against Brighton in September. Carrick can’t cope without him.
But the manager will be the first to recognize the bottom of his captain. As well as productivity – it took Fernandes a remarkable 23 minutes to complete the first pass against Tottenham last weekend – body language is equally unhelpful. All the usual postures return: disillusionment in physical form.
The full spectrum can be seen in Madrid. Hands on face. Hands on head. Hands on hips. And finally, hands clasped, cheers to the weary crowd of fans, increasingly drained of energy and patience by what they were watching.
Bruno Fernandes experienced all the emotions in the defeat to Atletico Madrid
Of course, all of this brings to light the deeper issues covered by Lisandro Martinez’s extraordinary outburst on Tuesday. His comments criticizing the club’s hierarchy went viral as soon as they came out.
In the end, Martinez only voiced what most observers believed to be true. Manchester United’s squad lacks the talent and depth required to compete three times a week. Fernandes’ form is a symptom of this unfortunate fact.
While one side of Manchester is (rightfully) torn apart for spending too much, the other side is accused of spending too little. It’s not Carrick’s fault, it’s a failure, as Martinez so eloquently puts it, “from the top.”
The consequences of not wanting to invest with such a sizeable strategy are revealed on the field. The physical damage is most clearly visualized by the resulting overplay. But the hope and optimism with which this campaign started was quickly destroyed.
Lose to battle-hardened Leeds at Elland Road this weekend and full crisis mode will begin. Daniel Farke will try to play with such subtlety. And why shouldn’t it? Leeds are ahead of United in the table for the first time since September 2002. Few opponents in the Premier League are as attractive at the moment.
Because if Bruno Fernandes can’t save Manchester United from its dire situation, then who will?
Watch Leeds vs Man Utd live on Sky Sports from 1pm on Super Sunday; start at 14:00