Bruno Fernandes has struggled to reproduce his outstanding form from last season, with Manchester United’s poor start to the Premier League campaign raising questions about his role and influence under Michael Carrick.
The United captain enjoyed the best individual campaign of his career in 2025-26, winning the Premier League, Football Writers’ Association and PFA Player of the Year awards after helping the club secure an unexpected third-place finish.
Fernandes scored nine goals and registered 21 assists, breaking the Premier League record for assists in a single season, previously shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
His influence was particularly evident during the closing stages of the campaign. Fernandes scored or assisted 12 of United’s 21 goals across their final 11 league matches, playing a decisive role in their return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.
However, the Portuguese midfielder has experienced a difficult start to the new season, with United collecting just six points from their opening six Premier League matches.
Fernandes’ numbers reveal a worrying decline
Fernandes has featured in every minute of United’s six league matches this season, recording three goals and one assist. All four contributions came during the 4-0 victory over Ipswich, which remains the club’s only league win of the campaign.
Although his early-season goal contributions are better than last year’s, when he scored twice without registering an assist in his opening six matches, other statistics suggest his influence has diminished.
The 31-year-old is averaging 3.3 shots per game, his second-highest figure since joining United. However, his average of 0.8 shots on target is among his lowest at the club.
His chance creation has also fallen significantly, with an average of 2.5 chances per match compared with four per game last season.
More concerningly, Fernandes has created just one big chance this campaign, the pass that sent Bryan Mbeumo through against Ipswich on August 30. Last season, he averaged one big chance created per game.
The decline has coincided with United’s disappointing results, leaving questions over whether Fernandes is contributing to the team’s problems or struggling because of the wider issues affecting the side.
Injury concerns and tactical problems
Fernandes’ fitness has also attracted attention after Portugal manager Jorge Jesus revealed that the midfielder had been playing through pain.
The former Sporting CP player missed a Nations League match against Norway before returning for Portugal’s final two internationals during the extended break.
However, Carrick has played down concerns about his captain’s condition ahead of United’s Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid.
“He was carrying something but that happens a lot,” Carrick said. “Players play with issues.
“It’s not ideal but it is manageable. Bruno is able to play. That is the commitment he has got.
“He is pretty much over it, was really bright in training this morning and is looking forward to the game.”
Fernandes’ struggles may also be connected to changes in United’s attacking structure following the departures and absences of key players.
Benjamin Sesko regularly occupied the centre-forward position towards the end of last season, providing a focal point for Fernandes’ creative passing. The Slovenian striker has scored nine league goals in 2026, with Fernandes setting up four of them.
Casemiro also offered protection in midfield, allowing Fernandes to take greater risks without leaving United as exposed during transitions.
The Brazilian’s departure for Inter Miami has removed an experienced presence from the midfield, while Sesko’s latest shin injury has further disrupted the team’s attacking plans.
United had opted against signing additional striking support during the summer, instead strengthening their midfield. However, their original plan to use Mbeumo as a centre-forward was abandoned after Amad Diallo suffered an ankle injury shortly before the opening game at Hull.
Matheus Cunha subsequently took up the role, but his tendency to drop deep has created congestion in the areas where Fernandes operates, making it difficult for the pair to establish an effective partnership.
Carrick backs Fernandes to rediscover his form
The tactical difficulties have affected Fernandes’ decision-making, with the midfielder taking 23 minutes to complete a pass during the recent match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Carrick has acknowledged that places in his starting XI are not guaranteed, but he remains confident that his captain will overcome his current difficulties.
“He’s a top player, Bruno,” Carrick said.
“Sometimes things don’t quite go for you. Sometimes you have a spell of that.
“But he’s done some incredible things for this football club and he will do the same in the future, there’s no doubt about that.”
United need an improvement in results as they attempt to recover from their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. Fernandes remains central to those hopes, given his importance to the team’s attacking play and his record of delivering decisive contributions.
His fitness, the return of key attacking players and Carrick’s ability to establish a more effective system could determine whether the Portuguese playmaker rediscovers the form that made him one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers last season.
