If Manchester United’s last two performances taught us anything, it’s that the importance of one particular Red Devil should never be cast into doubt.
The Premier League’s biggest underachievers picked up zero points out of a possible six without a certain star man, barely threatening the Crystal Palace goal in that one-sided 4-0 hammering before failing to turn their possession into a final-third threat as title-chasing Arsenal threatened to repeat that Sylvain Wiltord moment at Old Trafford on Sunday.
They say ‘absence makes the heart grow stronger’. And if this is what life looks like at Manchester United without Bruno Fernandes, then reports linking the talismanic captain with a summer departure should have every supporter struggling to sleep at night.
Fernandes, a beacon of reliability and creativity in a dismal season, has no interest in turning his back on his beloved Man United despite the potential of a head-spinning offer from Saudi Arabia.
United themselves have little intention of cashing in either. Fernandes is reportedly one of a chosen few safe from the Ineos axe this summer.
Bruno Fernandes linked with Manchester United exit
Erik ten Hag, ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle United, was quizzed about the Portugal international’s future. And the manager insists that Fernandes remains as ‘important’ as ever to the club’s cause.
“It’s the same question as last week. So I answered (with) the same answer,” sighs Ten Hag, clearly running short on patience.
“Now, in all the years he was (here), he was a tremendously important player for Manchester United and creating the most chances across the Premier League. So many assists, so many goals. It’s clear he’s a very important player for us.”
Fernandes tops the goalscoring charts for United as things stand with 15. He has also set up a further 11, 2023/24 another year in which the £47 million bargain signing from Sporting Lisbon has reached double figures for both goals and assists.
Portugal star remains the Red Devils talisman
It is no coincidence that, without him, no Man United player mustered more than two key passes in that improved-yet-still-blunt performance against Arsenal last time out. Fernandes, in contrast, provided no fewer that nine in his most recent outing before being consigned to an unfamiliar stint on the treatment table (WhoScored).
“All of you people who are saying ‘Bruno out’, again, I want humble pie eaten,” legendary centre-back Rio Ferdinand tells Vibe with Five on YouTube. “Because, in the last couple of games, creativity has been a big issue for us.
“Without that man in our team, we don’t create noise, let alone chances. Trust me,” adds Ferdinand. “All these people who keep saying; ‘Yeah, but he is not this, he is not that’…
“The guy creates chances. He scores goals but, more importantly, he creates chances for others. He makes other players look much better. When he hasn’t played, every other attacking player has looked worse off.”
Man United can draw level on points with both Newcastle and Chelsea with a win at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Ten Hag confirmed that the much-missed Lisandro Martinez will be back in the squad for the visit of Eddie Howe’s side, though Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Willy Kambwala are facing a race against time to be involved.
“Licha Martinez, I think he will return to the squad,” the former Ajax boss adds. “He’s done some sessions with us and we plan for him to be available if this afternoon everything goes right in training. He will return to the squad.
“For some other players, we have to see. Rashford, Bruno, Willy Kambwala, if they are fit enough.”
| Injury type | Projected return | |
| Raphael Varane | Muscular injury | Late May |
| Mason Mount | Unknown | Unknown |
| Victor Lindelof | Hamstring injury | Late May |
| Luke Shaw | Thigh injury | Late May |
| Harry Maguire | Muscle injury | Late May |
| Anthony Martial | Groin injury | Late May |
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee injury | Unknown |