Bruno Fernandes' Drought: Man Utd Captain's 12 Matches Without a Goal

Bruno Fernandes: A Tale of Two Seasons at Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese midfielder known for his dazzling skills and powerful shots, had an exhilarating moment last April. After scoring a stunning strike with his weaker left foot from 25 yards against Sheffield United, he celebrated by sliding on his knees in front of the Stretford End, clinching a comeback victory. At that time, Fernandes was riding high with seven goals in his last five matches.

Current Drought: A Stark Contradiction

Fast forward to today, and ironically, Fernandes finds himself in the longest goal drought of his Manchester United career, despite his relentless efforts. Over the last twelve matches, he has failed to find the back of the net, which is a disheartening contrast to his prior prolific form.

Efforts Versus Results

Fernandes' struggle to score is not due to a lack of trying. Manchester United fans have witnessed his numerous attempts, many of which have seemed desperate and speculative. For instance, in a recent game against Southampton, he took two shots, each only having a mere one percent chance of scoring according to Opta.

Statistics Tell the Tale

• In the past dozen matches, Fernandes has taken a staggering 30 shots without success.
• Currently, he leads the Premier League with 17 attempts without a goal, a concerning statistic amongst Europe’s major leagues.
• In his last four Premier League matches, he hasn’t even managed to hit the target, though he nearly scored against Crystal Palace, coming close to either side of the frame.
• Of the big chances he has missed this season, three stand out: a slash wide of the post in the match against Crystal Palace and two one-vs-one situations against Fulham at the start of the season.

Team Performance Analysis

Fernandes' struggles are symptomatic of a broader challenge at Manchester United this season. Despite ranking third for expected goals (xG) with a total of 9.10 in the Premier League, the team has missed more big chances than any other club in the league, failing to capitalize on 17 out of 19 clear-cut opportunities attributable to uncharacteristically poor finishing. Only the relegation-fighting Southampton have recorded a worse conversion rate.

Implications Under Erik Ten Hag

The issues faced by United are compounded as they sit 11th on the Premier League table, already four points adrift from the coveted top four. Manager Erik Ten Hag finds himself in a challenging position where previous results against Brighton (2-1 defeat) and Crystal Palace (0-0 draw) have further complicated United’s path forward.

Looking Forward: Hope on the Horizon

As the team looks to regain its form, the return of Rasmus Hojlund to full fitness might add the spark needed to reignite the squad. Furthermore, Marcus Rashford has shown promising signs of returning to his dangerous form, which could bolster Manchester United’s attacking prowess.

Conclusion: The Quest for Salvation

With upcoming matches looming, the question on every fan's lips is whether Bruno Fernandes can find redemption and finally score again. Will he achieve this against Spurs on Sunday, or will the frustration continue? The Stretford End waits eagerly for its favorite son to fire back into form.

For continuous updates and insights into Manchester United's journey, stay tuned.