Man Utd vs Tottenham: Why Bruno Fernandes needs to step up in crunch Premier League clash

 

Things are not quite clicking for Manchester United. A 1-1 draw with Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday means Erik ten Hag’s side have won just two of their last six games in all competitions - and one of those was against League One Barnsley. 

 

One of Ten Hag's biggest concerns must be the form of Bruno Fernandes, who has been a shadow of his usual self so far this season. For most of his United career, Fernandes has been the team's most influential player. He has often been an island of consistency in an ocean of inconsistency. But his displays so far in 2024/25 have left a lot to be desired. 

 

 

Fernandes was ineffectual against Twente, yet Ten Hag kept him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. That is understandable. Fernandes has frequently got United out of jail in the past. Even when he is not playing well, he has the quality to produce moments of magic in the final third. Despite the wishes of some supporters, there is little chance of him being dropped for Sunday’s crunch clash with Tottenham Hotspur. 

 

Fernandes needs to get his mojo back, though. Before this term, he averaged a goal every 2.9 Premier League appearances. That is a very decent record for an attacking midfielder who was often part of a dysfunctional collective. Despite United’s wider failings, Fernandes found the back of the net 10 times last season, as well as providing eight assists. 

 

It has been a different story in the current campaign. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has taken as many shots without scoring as Fernandes, none of whose 17 attempts have beaten an opposition goalkeeper.  

 

 

The 30-year-old has racked up an overall xG of 1.81, which suggests he is still getting into decent positions but is being let down by his finishing. That problem applies to the team as a whole: United rank fifth for xG but only joint-13th for goals scored. Their xG difference is the second-largest in the division and no team in the division has missed as many big chances (17). 

 

On the creative side, Fernandes is averaging just 1.2 key passes per 90 minutes - the same figure as Wilfred Ndidi, Elliot Anderson and Will Smallbone among others. It also compares unfavourably to Fernandes’ own record of 3.3 key passes per 90 minutes last season. 

 

The Portugal international is a risk-taker in the opposition half. That is usually a bonus for United, since a long-range shot or killer pass from Fernandes can breach an opponent’s backline. But when things are not coming off, the playmaker is frustrating. He regularly loses the ball, bringing promising attacks to an end when a strike at goal flies over the bar or an ambitious through-ball runs out of play. 

 

 

Click here to head straight to the bet 

 

Sunday’s showdown against Tottenham is important, even at this early stage of proceedings. Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are favourites for the top three, which would leave only one guaranteed Champions League qualification spot up for grabs. Head-to-head clashes between the likes of United, Spurs, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle United therefore take on even greater importance. 

 

It is the type of occasion where United need their best players to step up. Fernandes, despite his recent struggles, remains one of those. But if he makes little impact against Tottenham, Ten Hag will really start to worry. Without Fernandes contributing, it is hard to see how United can achieve their objectives this season.

Man Utd vs Tottenham: Why Bruno Fernandes needs to step up in crunch Premier League clash