Bruno Fernandes has been been warned that trying to pass to Cristiano Ronaldo too often during matches is affecting his form at Manchester United. The Portuguese playmaker has struggled to rediscover the same level of form that made him of the Premier League’s standout players in his first 18 months at the club.
Fernandes, who signed for Man United in January 2020 for £46.5million, was a revelation for the Red Devils when he first arrived in England.
He has scored 45 times in 102 appearances and bagged 28 goals in all competitions last season, making him one of the most lethal finishers in Europe.
But the attacking midfielder has found life more difficult this term, scoring just twice since his hat-trick against Leeds United on the opening day of the season.
Ronaldo has taken on the lead role in the team, scoring 13 goals in his 18 appearances since sealing a £12m move from Juventus on transfer deadline day.
The partnership between Fernandes and Ronaldo looked to have carried over from the national team to Old Trafford, with memorable strikes against Young Boys and Tottenham.
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“Bearing in mind the way he began at United, we want to see much more of him.”
Fernandes has been deployed in a deeper role under new interim coach Ralf Rangnick and the Red Devils star has struggled to adapt.
He did open the scoring in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, the final match of Michael Carrick’s caretaker reign, before Rangnick.
But he has failed to register a goal or assist in his two appearances under the German against Norwich and Crystal Palace and was taken off before the end.
While it may be a case of resting the midfielder after playing regularly in all competitions for United, it suggests his level has dipped in recent months.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson agrees that Fernandes’ status as United’s key man has changed since Ronaldo’s arrival and he has lost confidence in his ability as a result.
“When you lose confidence it doesn’t matter who you are — we all lose confidence —- it’s a different game,” he said.
“He’s not touching the ball in the game now, he’s not touching it 60, 70 or 80 times.
“Everything went through Fernandes, everything.
“It’s not that case now, everyone’s looking for Ronaldo now. This needs to change.”
United now face a long wait until their next fixture after the cancellation of their games against Brentford and Brighton due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
They are scheduled to face Newcastle on December 27 at St James’ Park, although it is unclear if that match will go ahead due to rising Covid cases in the Premier League.
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