Bruno Fernandes: Longest Goal Drought Hits Manchester United Captain

Bruno Fernandes: From Prolific Scorer to Goal Drought

In April of last year, Bruno Fernandes marked a memorable moment when he scored a stunning 25-yard strike with his weaker left foot, sealing a comeback victory for Manchester United against Sheffield United. At that point, he was on fire, having scored seven goals in five matches. Fast forward to now, and the talented midfielder is facing his longest goal drought in the Premier League.

The Current Struggles

Despite his previous scoring streak, Fernandes has now gone twelve matches without finding the net. This goal drought has not stemmed from a lack of effort or determination, as he has exhibited plenty of ambition in front of goal. For instance, fans have watched in agony as he took speculative shots, some with an estimated one percent chance of success, according to sports analytics firm Opta. Although he’s registered 30 attempts in the past dozen matches, none have gone in.

Feeling the Pressure

Out of the 17 shots Fernandes has taken in the current Premier League season, he remains the player with the most attempts without scoring among Europe's major leagues. The frustration does not end there; Fernandes failed to hit the target in his last four Premier League games, although he did come close against Crystal Palace, hitting the frame of the goal.

Manchester United's Scoring Woes

The struggles for Fernandes mirror a larger issue affecting the Manchester United squad. This season, the team ranks third for expected goals in the Premier League, amounting to a commendable total of 9.10. However, remarkably, they have missed more big chances (17 out of 19) than any other side in the division. The only team with a worse conversion rate is Southampton, who are currently facing relegation troubles.

Key Statistics to Note

• Manchester United has only scored five goals this season, indicating a clear underperformance against their expected output.
• Player Joshua Zirkzee, despite having missed all four of his big chances, shares the spotlight with Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho as one of the league's least efficient scorers this term.
• With two wins from their first five Premier League games, the overall poor finishing has cost United valuable points, with highlights including a 2-1 loss to Brighton and a disappointing draw against Palace.

What Lies Ahead for Fernandes and United?

With Manchester United currently sitting in 11th position and four points adrift from the top four, time is running out for them to turn their season around. The upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur offers Fernandes a potential opportunity to break his goal drought and re-establish himself as a key player for the club.

What Can Save United?

Supporters are hopeful that the return of Rasmus Hojlund to full fitness can provide the much-needed firepower upfront. Additionally, Marcus Rashford is showing signs of resurgence, potentially aiding in the team’s overall offensive efforts.

Conclusion

The question remains: Can Bruno Fernandes find redemption and finally score in front of the Stretford End against Spurs? Fans are eagerly waiting to see if this talented midfielder can rediscover his scoring touch and help Manchester United climb back up the Premier League table.

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