Only seven weeks have passed since Bruno Fernandes addressed the Manchester Opera House, reveling in his PFA Player of the Year honor.
The United captain had already secured both the Premier League and Football Writers’ awards, reflecting his massive influence on the surprise third‑place finish.
He netted nine times and supplied 21 assists, equalling a Premier League record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.
In United’s last 11 matches, Fernandes either scored or set up 12 of the 21 goals, and featured in nine of the 12 strikes that returned the club to Europe’s elite after a two‑year gap.
Statistically, the output mirrors Eric Cantona’s 1995‑96 run, when he scored in six straight games, five of them as United’s sole scorer.
“It was a special season for me,” Fernandes told the appreciative crowd. “I’m incredibly proud.”
“But we don’t play tennis. We play for the team, the club, the fans. Nothing beats that.”
Those lines resonate now, because this season’s numbers fall short of last year’s brilliance.
Fernandes has featured every minute of United’s six league games, tallying three goals and one assist – all coming in the Ipswich win, United’s sole victory so far.
Those figures actually improve on last term, when he managed two goals in six games without a single assist.
Back then he operated in the deeper midfield slot favored by Ruben Amorim.
A deeper look reveals some concerns.
Although his shot count this season sits at a respectable 3.3 per game – just shy of his 3.5 best in 2020‑21 – his on‑target rate drops to 0.8, the joint‑second lowest of his United career, and his chance creation falls to 2.5 per game, well below last season’s 4.0.
Even more striking, he has crafted only one “big chance” this term, the lofted pass to Bryan Mbeumo against Ipswich on 30 August, compared with an average of one per game last season.
These metrics help explain United’s meagre six points from six fixtures, their poorest league start in four decades, a period that once saw Ron Atkinson replaced by Sir Alex Ferguson.
So, is Fernandes driving United’s slump or merely reflecting it?
Questions linger over the Portuguese star’s fitness. He missed the Nations League clash with Norway after Jorge Jesus said he was “playing through pain.”
Nevertheless, he returned for the final two internationals and completed the full 90 minutes in the 4‑0 Champions League win over Sabah FK.
Carrick downplays any issue as United prepare to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
“He was carrying something, but that happens often,” Carrick admitted. “Players play with niggles.”
“Not ideal, yet manageable. Bruno can still perform – that’s his commitment.”
“He’s basically over it, looked sharp in training this morning and is eager for the game.”
Late last season, when Fernandes was at his peak, Benjamin Sesko anchored the number‑nine role while veteran Brazilian Casemiro held the midfield anchor.
Of Sesko’s nine league goals this year, Fernandes set up four, and he assisted four of the final five goals Casemiro recorded after 1 February.
Beyond goals, the absence of Sesko and Casemiro is palpable.
Even Casemiro’s biggest fans can’t blame United’s low stats on his summer move to Inter Miami; his positioning remains elite, allowing Fernandes to take calculated risks.
Sesko’s recent shin injury simply prolongs a void that the team still feels, with no clear return date in sight.
The hierarchy ignored calls for a new striker this summer, opting instead to bulk up Carrick’s midfield.
A plan to slot Mbeumo as a makeshift number nine collapsed when Amad Diallo suffered an ankle injury before the Hull opener.
Matheus Cunha was tried, but he kept drifting deep into Fernandes’ space, and the duo never clicked.
For Fernandes, the setup feels restrictive; his confidence isn’t shaken, yet his decision‑making appears hampered.
Against Tottenham, it took him a staggering 23 minutes to complete a single pass.
Carrick told reporters on Monday, ahead of the Atletico clash, that no spot is guaranteed, yet he hinted he isn’t planning to bench his captain.
United must improve, and that means Fernandes has to step up as well.
Carrick trusts he will.
“He’s a top player, Bruno,” the manager asserted.
“Sometimes things don’t click. Everyone goes through spells.”
“He’s delivered incredible moments for this club and will continue to do so, no doubt.”
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