Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes has entered a period of unsettling form that has sparked debate about whether manager Michael Carrick should consider dropping him from the starting XI. A club statement released the day before United’s Champions League match against Atlético Madrid described the Brazilian as dealing with an “injury niggle,” yet the player’s performance that night suggested otherwise, raising questions about the extent of his decline.
Fernandes, who has been a linchpin for United since joining in 2020, has struggled to maintain the creative output that earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award last year. When he is not contributing goals or assists, he offers little else on the pitch, and United’s fragile midfield structure leaves little room for a player who can be out of form. Carrick faces a dilemma: benching the club’s most influential player could destabilise the squad, yet retaining him risks further losses if his performance does not improve.
The manager’s options for a replacement are limited. Mason Mount would be the obvious choice to slot into the number 10 role, while Matheus Cunha could also be tried in a similar capacity. Both moves would represent a significant shift in United’s attacking setup and could prove risky in the short term. The upcoming fixture against Leeds United, a match that United must win to avoid a slide down the table, will be a critical test of whether Fernandes can still deliver the spark Carrick needs.
Fernandes has played 96 per cent of all available minutes under Carrick, rarely being substituted before the 81st minute. He has only been benched once, in an EFL Cup tie against Brighton in September. The physical toll of a congested schedule, coupled with the weight of responsibility as captain, may be contributing to his dip. Former England captain Wayne Rooney reportedly suggested that Carrick might need to consider taking Fernandes off if he is not performing, a sentiment echoed by former United captain Lisandro Martínez’s recent viral rant about the club’s lack of depth and investment.
The broader context of United’s season is one of inconsistency and mounting pressure. A loss to Leeds at Elland Road would trigger a full crisis, forcing Carrick to reassess his tactics and squad selection. As the team continues to battle for momentum in the Premier League, the decision on whether to keep or drop Fernandes will be pivotal for United’s fortunes in the months ahead.