Bruno Fernandes’ reduced influence and fitness concerns cloud Man United’s slow start
October 13, 2026 08:00
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s captain and the 2025-26 PFA Player of the Year, has contributed far less this season compared with his extraordinary campaign last term, and there are reported fitness concerns. United have collected six points from their opening six Premier League games — their worst start to a top‑flight season in 40 years.
KEY CONTEXT
- Fernandes was central to United’s comeback last season: he scored nine goals and provided 21 assists, breaking a Premier League record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne. Over United’s final 11 games of that campaign, he either scored or created 12 of the team’s 21 goals.
- This season Fernandes has played every minute of Manchester United’s six Premier League fixtures. He has three goals and one assist — all came in the 4-0 victory over Ipswich, United’s only win so far.
- Statistical declines this term include an average of 3.3 shots per game (his second-highest), but just 0.8 shots on target per game (joint-second lowest of his time at Old Trafford) and 2.5 chances created per game (his second-lowest and down from 4.0 last season). He has produced one ‘big chance’ so far — compared with an average of one big chance per game last season.
FITNESS AND AVAILABILITY
Portugal manager Jorge Jesus said Fernandes was "playing through pain" when he was left out of the recent Nations League game against Norway. Fernandes returned for the final two internationals of that break and completed 90 minutes in United’s 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah FK. The club have indicated the problem was manageable and that he trained brightly ahead of subsequent matches.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
The article notes the absence of players such as Benjamin Sesko and Casemiro is being felt. Sesko scored nine league goals in 2026, four of which Fernandes created; Fernandes also created four of the final five goals Casemiro scored for United from 1 February onwards. Casemiro left for Inter Miami in the summer.
WHY IT MATTERS
Fernandes’ drop in direct goal involvement and his recent fitness problems come after a season in which he was practically indispensable to United’s attacking output. The combination of lower chance creation, fewer shots on target and the reported niggle may, the article suggests, go some way to explaining Manchester United’s poor start — though the link is presented as a possible explanation rather than a definitive cause.