Bruno Fernandes, a square peg in a round hole, continues to hurt Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes reacts after missing a penalty against Fulham (AP Photo)

This draw, which feels like a defeat, is not only on Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Amorim, the blame very much lies at the feet of the Manchester United hierarchy as well. Twice, the club had the opportunity to offload their captain during close season. They bottled both. Fernandes dropped a stinker at Old Trafford against Arsenal. He was a liability for his team at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva tactically outsmarted Amorim and his one-dimensional football to secure a draw for Fulham. At the end of the day, however, Fernandes was the real culprit. His penalty miss was as shocking as it was pathetic. Just two games into the season, but it feels like 2025-26, too, is going to be a write-off for United.

First the bizarre incident… United were awarded a penalty in the first half after Mason Mount was fouled inside the box. It was a contentious decision but VAR deemed it a punishable offence. Just as Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty, referee Chris Kavanagh accidentally bumped into him. The 30-year-old allowed the incident to rattle him. Fernandes continued his argument with the referee. Acting like an angry child, he was throwing his toys out of the pram. His penalty was wild, probably landing in the Thames.

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In June, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal reportedly made an offer in excess of £100million to buy Fernandes. The player, ostensibly a prisoner of his entitlement, turned his back on a £60million-a-year offer. Then, Al-Nassr came calling, reportedly with a bigger package for the club and the player. Yet again, Fernandes was not interested. United should have been decisive to force Fernandes to accept the offer, which would have helped them sign a defensive midfielder like Carlos Baleba. But they feared a backlash from the fans and decided to play to the gallery.

Last season, United had dithered over sacking Erik ten Hag, which eventually resulted in a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League. This term, they failed to get rid of Fernandes despite two very presentable chances. The result is that United have already slipped into a crisis mode.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko are Amorim’s new attacking trident. Fernandes can no longer be the No. 10, for United have a better player, Cunha, in that position. The skipper had been given a deep-lying role. He is a square peg in a round hole.

Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo’s career continues to stall under Amorim.