Erik ten Hag Faces Tough Choices After Manchester United’s Stalemate: Time to Bench Bruno Fernandes?
After a promising period, Manchester United faltered again, settling for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday night. With this disappointing result, it may be time for Erik ten Hag to make some tough selection decisions.
Before the international break, United fans were disheartened by a 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool. However, they seemed to have turned a corner with impressive victories against Southampton and Barnsley.
Yet, Saturday’s lackluster performance suggests there is still significant work needed for United to secure a top-four finish this season. While they controlled possession and had more shots on target, one player’s struggles stood out and frustrated fans.
Time for a Decision on Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been underwhelming this season, despite signing a new long-term contract. His performance against Palace highlighted his recent struggles, and it may be time for Ten Hag to consider freshening up the lineup.
According to Sofascore, Fernandes lost possession 34 times during the match, a stat that could have been detrimental to the team.
For comparison, Amad Diallo, who had the second-highest turnovers, lost the ball 19 times. Fernandes had a late chance to redeem himself with a free-kick but his delivery was easily cleared by Palace. His passing accuracy was just 72%, the lowest among starters.
Bruno Fernandes Stats Against Crystal Palace:
- Minutes played: 90
- Expected goals: 0.40
- Accurate passes: 60/83 (72%)
- Key passes: 2
- Crosses (accurate): 6 (0)
- Shots off target: 3
- Big chances missed: 1
- Possession lost: 34
Despite a lackluster performance, Fernandes played the full match, with Ten Hag opting to substitute Christian Eriksen instead.
Mount Deserves a Chance
Mason Mount, who joined from Chelsea last summer, has yet to establish himself due to injury issues last season. His absence as an unused substitute against Palace was surprising, especially given the team’s struggles. With a fully fit squad now, Ten Hag has the flexibility to make changes.
Mount could slot into the attacking midfield role, or if Manuel Ugarte becomes a partner for Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, Eriksen could be pushed forward.
Making the bold choice to drop your captain is not easy, but Ten Hag may need to consider it. Continuing to play an out-of-form Fernandes could hurt both the team and the player himself.
Erik ten Hag Faces Tough Choices After Manchester United’s Stalemate: Time to Bench Bruno Fernandes?
