Bruno Fernandes has endured a mixed 12 months at Manchester United.
For so long it seemed like he was pulling United along single-handedly after his arrival at the club in January 2020. Fernandes was providing goals, assists and generally making The Red Devils tick by himself.
Eight Premier League goals and seven assists in the second half of the 2019/20 season was followed up with 15 goals and 10 assists in the opening half of the next.
But around this time a year ago, the Portugal international ran out of steam. The burden of carrying United for a year seemingly took its toll. As a result, the goals and assists dried up in the final three months of last season.
This season he’s returned among the goals, but his influence on the team has diminished in the face of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return.
Many have criticised Fernandes in recent weeks, with many suggesting that he’s the main issue in United’s problems, rather than Ronaldo.
But is this fair on Fernandes?
Fernandes has created 12 ‘ big-chances ’ for others this season, which is only eight shy of his best tally since joining United. Moreover, according to analytical website FBRef.com, Fernandes ranks fourth out of every player in the Premier League this season for ‘shot-creating actions’ (dribbles, passes and fouls leading to a shot at goal) per-90 minutes, with 22.6 P90.
According to website Whoscored.com, Fernandes is averaging three key passes per-game, which is up from 2.6 last season.
These facts demonstrate that when it comes to his involvement in United’s build-up play, he’s still contributing massively.
Of course, stats can always be manipulated to suit a certain narrative, and at times this season Fernandes has struggled to assert himself in games.
Some quarters of the United fan base blamed his ‘decline’ on the arrival of Ronaldo, but Fernandes’ drop in productivity began months before Ronaldo returned.
With Ralf Rangnick yet to settle on his best system, there still might be more anonymous displays from Fernandes to come, but even when he’s not producing the same kind of dizzying performances that dragged United along in his first year, he’s still doing enough to warrant selection by the German coach.
Rangnick is still feeling around in the dark at United, but if he’s to lead the club to fourth place and a slot in next season’s Champions League, he’s going to need Fernandes as a guiding hand to ensure that happens.
Fernandes’ second year at United wasn’t as successful as the first, but he’s still a key player, and the criticism surrounding him is harsh, and mostly unjust.
