Manchester United’s recent struggles have once again come to the forefront following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday night. After a brief resurgence in form, where they secured wins over Southampton in the Premier League and Barnsley in the EFL Cup, this latest result has left both fans and pundits questioning whether Erik ten Hag’s team has what it takes to break into the top four this season. The game against Palace, while not a defeat, highlighted glaring issues that remain unresolved, despite the improvements seen in recent matches.
Going into the international break, there was already a sense of concern after United were humbled 3-0 at home by arch-rivals Liverpool. That result shook the fanbase, and while there were signs of recovery in subsequent games, the draw against Crystal Palace has reignited doubts about the squad’s overall consistency. Despite controlling possession and registering more shots on target, United’s inability to find the back of the net on Saturday suggests that their problems run deeper than just individual performances. One name, in particular, has come under scrutiny—Bruno Fernandes, who struggled once again to make a meaningful impact in the match.
Fernandes, once the creative heartbeat of this Manchester United side, has been off the pace for much of the current campaign. After signing a new long-term contract in the summer, expectations were high for the Portuguese midfielder to lead by example. However, his recent performances have been underwhelming, and the match at Selhurst Park was no exception. According to statistics from Sofascore, Fernandes lost possession 34 times during the 94 minutes he was on the pitch. This is a staggering number for a player of his caliber and raises serious questions about his current form. To put this in context, Amad Diallo, who was the second-highest in possession losses among United’s starters, lost the ball 19 times—far fewer than Fernandes.
Despite these struggles, Fernandes had an opportunity to turn things around late in the game when United won a free-kick in a dangerous area. Yet, his delivery was poor, easily dealt with by the Palace defense, and another chance to make a difference slipped away. His overall passing accuracy was also a cause for concern, completing just 72% of his passes—the lowest among the starting XI. For a player tasked with being the team’s main playmaker, these numbers are simply not good enough.
A deeper dive into his stats from the game paints a troubling picture:
### Bruno Fernandes vs. Crystal Palace:
– **Minutes played**: 90
– **Expected goals**: 0.40
– **Accurate passes**: 60/83 (72%)
– **Key passes**: 2
– **Crosses (accurate)**: 6 (0)
– **Shots off target**: 3
– **Big chances missed**: 1
– **Possession lost**: 34
Despite recording two key passes and attempting several crosses, Fernandes struggled to exert any meaningful influence on the match. His three shots off target and the missed big chance only added to the frustration felt by both the player and the fans. Surprisingly, Erik ten Hag opted to keep him on for the full 90 minutes, even though it was evident by half-time that Fernandes was not at his best. Instead, it was Christian Eriksen who was withdrawn with 15 minutes left on the clock, a decision that raised eyebrows given Fernandes’ continued struggles.
This brings us to the question: Is it time for Ten Hag to make a change? With players like Mason Mount waiting in the wings, there is now genuine competition for places in the midfield. Mount, who joined United from Chelsea last summer, has had his own issues with injuries but is now fit and available. His omission from the starting lineup against Crystal Palace was puzzling, especially given Fernandes’ form and the fact that United’s game plan was clearly not working. Mount is a dynamic and creative player who could inject fresh energy into the team, something that Fernandes has failed to do in recent weeks.
It’s also worth considering the other options at Ten Hag’s disposal. Christian Eriksen, for example, could be pushed into a more advanced role if Manchester United bring in a more defensive-minded midfielder, such as the highly-rated Manuel Ugarte, to partner Kobbie Mainoo. This would free up Eriksen to focus on his creative duties in the final third, a role that Fernandes currently occupies but has been struggling to fulfill. Alternatively, Ten Hag could give Mount the opportunity to stake his claim for a regular starting spot, offering the team a different dimension in attack.
The decision to drop a captain is never an easy one, especially when that player is as influential as Fernandes has been in the past. However, persistently starting him when he is clearly out of form could do more harm than good, both for the team and for Fernandes himself. Ten Hag needs to make a bold decision here. The squad now has depth, thanks to the summer transfer window, and there is no longer a need to rely on out-of-form players just because of injuries or lack of options.
Ultimately, Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace is a stark reminder that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go if they are to secure a top-four finish this season. Fernandes’ continued struggles are symptomatic of the wider issues within the team, and Erik ten Hag must now assess whether he is willing to make the tough choices necessary to turn things around. With players like Mason Mount eager for a chance, and Christian Eriksen available to play a more advanced role, the Dutch manager has options—but he must act decisively. Persisting with Bruno Fernandes in his current form will only hold United back from achieving their goals.