Manchester United have changed managers, sold half a midfield and rebuilt an attack. Bruno Fernandes has remained the constant.
The Career Numbers
Fernandes has made 234 appearances for United since joining from Sporting CP in 2020, scoring 74 goals. He turned 32 in September and remains club captain, with 94 caps and 29 goals for Portugal, including two Nations League titles.
His Role Under Carrick
Michael Carrick, appointed permanent head coach on a two-year deal in May, restored Fernandes to the number 10 role in a 4-2-3-1. That decision had a knock-on benefit, opening space in the double pivot that revived Kobbie Mainoo’s Old Trafford career.
A Rebuilt Midfield Around Him
- Youri Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa for £35m
- Andrey Santos signed from Chelsea for £50m after an impressive loan at Strasbourg
- Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia all departed, trimming the wage bill
The stated aim was to give Fernandes more freedom by reducing his defensive burden.
A Frustrating Start
United have been inconsistent, thrashing Ipswich 5-2 but losing the Manchester derby and surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup. Fernandes had two quiet games before the Fulham fixture.
The Open Question
He remains United’s first-choice penalty taker and their most reliable creator. Whether he is still at Old Trafford when the rebuild finally bears fruit is the question nobody at the club wants to ask out loud.