Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager, has expressed that Erik Ten Hag should no longer rely on a player with such poor performances. Ferguson emphasized that it’s time to stop tolerating these underwhelming displays and to build a team that isn’t dependent on such inconsistent contributions. His remarks came following a Manchester United player’s 0% contribution rate and dreadful performance against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace has cast doubt on Ten Hag’s future selection decisions. After rebounding from a 3-0 home loss to Liverpool with wins over Southampton and Barnsley, the uninspired performance at Selhurst Park revealed that much more work is needed if they want to secure a top-four finish this season. Despite dominating possession and having more shots, one player’s poor performance drew the most criticism.
Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, struggled to make an impact, raising questions about his future in the starting eleven. Though he signed a long-term deal earlier in the summer, Fernandes has been unable to find his form this season. His performance against Palace heightened concerns, leading many to speculate that Ten Hag may need to reshuffle his lineup.
Fernandes’ performance was concerning—he lost possession 34 times in 94 minutes, the highest of any player, according to Sofascore. By comparison, Amad Diallo lost the ball 19 times, the second-highest figure. Fernandes also had a chance to make amends with a late free-kick, but it was easily cleared by Palace’s defense. His passing accuracy was a mere 72%, the lowest among United’s starters.
Despite contributing two key passes, Fernandes’ three off-target shots, missed scoring chance, and frequent loss of possession have led to increased scrutiny. He played the full match, while Christian Eriksen was substituted with 15 minutes remaining.
With new signings from the summer transfer window, including Mason Mount, Ten Hag has more options at his disposal. Mount, who joined from Chelsea but has struggled with injuries, has yet to secure a regular starting spot. It was surprising to see him remain on the bench, especially when United’s strategy wasn’t working. Ten Hag could also move Christian Eriksen into a more attacking role to freshen up the midfield.
Dropping Fernandes would be a bold move, but it may be a necessary one. Continuing to rely on him while he’s out of form isn’t benefiting the team, and Ten Hag might need to explore alternative solutions.
