Bruno Fernandes has openly admitted that he no longer feels fully appreciated by Manchester United. Yet, in a striking contrast between perception and reality, the Portuguese midfielder remains the club’s most valuable and influential asset on the pitch.
At a time when Manchester United continue to search for consistency and identity, Fernandes stands as the central figure holding the team together—both creatively and emotionally—despite doubts surrounding his role and future.
Bruno Fernandes Opens Up About Feeling Undervalued
In a recent interview with Portuguese television channel Canal 11, Bruno Fernandes spoke candidly about his disappointment with Manchester United’s reaction to lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia during the last summer transfer window.
“From the club’s side, I felt a little bit like, ‘If you leave, it wouldn’t really matter to us,’” Fernandes said. “That was quite painful for me.”
The 31-year-old captain admitted that such an attitude hurt deeply, especially given his long-standing commitment to the club. He stressed that while he feels respected by fans and teammates, he expected stronger backing from the club hierarchy.
“I felt valued, and the people who should value me the most are my own club. Lately, though, I’ve felt like I’m skating on thin ice,” he added.
The Irony of Fernandes’ “Thin Ice” Feeling
Fernandes’ sense of insecurity is ironic. At Old Trafford, few players have a firmer footing than him. Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, he has been Manchester United’s most consistent performer in an era marked by instability and heavy spending.
While Fernandes compared himself jokingly to part of the club’s “furniture,” the reality is far more significant. He is not an accessory—he is the foundation of United’s attacking play.
The club’s brief openness to selling him, reportedly influenced by age considerations and a massive offer from Al Hilal, has only reinforced his belief that loyalty is not always reciprocated in modern football.
A New Role Under Ruben Amorim
Under head coach Ruben Amorim, Fernandes has been asked to adapt once again. No longer operating primarily as a traditional No. 10, he has increasingly been deployed in a deeper, box-to-box midfield role that demands greater defensive responsibility.
This positional shift was discussed directly between Fernandes and Amorim during the summer, when Saudi interest was at its peak. Amorim made it clear that he wanted Fernandes to stay and outlined plans to use him as a deeper creative link between midfield and attack.
The decision was partly shaped by Manchester United’s transfer situation. At the time, the club had yet to complete deals for Bryan Mbeumo, was still evaluating striker options, and had not finalized the signing of Matheus Cunha. Without adding midfield depth, Amorim felt Fernandes was essential in orchestrating play from deeper areas.
Strengths and Limitations of Fernandes’ New Role
From the outside, the tactical adjustment has sparked debate. Fernandes’ greatest strengths lie in chance creation, goal threat, and vision—not defensive discipline.
The chaotic 4–4 draw against Bournemouth offered a perfect snapshot of both the positives and negatives of his deeper role. Fernandes still found his way into dangerous positions, winning a foul on the edge of the box before converting a superb free kick. However, his attacking involvement was less frequent than when he plays higher up the pitch.
Despite operating deeper, Fernandes has recorded five goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League matches, making him United’s most productive attacking player this season. Only Mbeumo has scored more goals for the club.
Last season, Fernandes finished with eight goals and 11 assists in the league. At his current rate, he is on track to surpass those numbers—remarkable given his reduced attacking positioning.
What the Numbers Say About Fernandes’ Impact
According to FBref data, Fernandes has logged 1,225 touches in 16 league games this season. Only 3.4 percent of those touches have come inside the opposition penalty area, a figure similar to last season (3.1 percent) when his role began shifting deeper.
By contrast, during the 2022/23 season—when United finished third—6.2 percent of his touches occurred in the opposition box, reflecting his more advanced role.
Even so, Fernandes remains elite in chance creation. He has produced 104 shot-creating actions this season, matching his output from previous campaigns. Only Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has completed more progressive passes, and no player in the league has been involved in more goal-creating actions defined as the two attacking moves before a goal.
Defensive Risks and Structural Concerns
There are risks to Fernandes’ deeper role. Manchester United have often looked defensively fragile, particularly when Fernandes partners Casemiro in midfield. At 33, Casemiro no longer covers ground as he once did, leaving gaps that opponents frequently exploit.
Fernandes ranks among the Premier League’s top three midfielders for ball recoveries, with 93 recoveries, but he does not excel in tackling metrics. Positional discipline has occasionally been an issue, contributing to United’s struggles to control matches and protect leads.
Bournemouth’s second goal at Old Trafford highlighted this vulnerability. Fernandes misjudged an aerial challenge involving Marcos Senesi, allowing Marcus Tavernier to collect the loose ball and set up Evanilson for a goal.
Should Fernandes Be Pushed Forward Again?
The debate now centers on whether Amorim should restore Fernandes to a more advanced role. Many supporters believe he should return as a No. 10, with Kobbie Mainoo gaining more minutes alongside Casemiro in midfield.
Before the Bournemouth match, Amorim explained that such a setup would require sacrificing one forward—either Mbeumo or Cunha. However, circumstances may soon force compilation changes.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will see Mbeumo and Amad Diallo leave the squad, while Casemiro’s suspension for the upcoming Aston Villa match could further influence Amorim’s thinking.
Manchester United’s Most Valuable Modern Signing
Regardless of where he plays, Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United’s defining figure. He is widely regarded as the club’s best signing since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
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