Football
Erik ten Hag Backs Bruno Fernandes To Bounce Back For Manchester United After Slow Start To The Season
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished27 Sep 2024
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has backed club captain Bruno Fernandes to rediscover his best form for the Red Devils following the midfielder’s slow start to the 2024/25 season.
Bruno Fernandes has consistently been one of Manchester United‘s standout performers in recent seasons, however he is yet to display the form fans have come to expect of him thus far in 2024/25.
Fernandes, whose best season for the club came in 2020/21 when he registered 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 matches, is yet to score a goal this term, and his performances have drawn criticisms from sections of the Red Devils fanbase.
Not only is Fernandes without a goal, but he has also managed just one assist across United’s opening five Premier League matches this season, with his side currently occupying a disappointing 11th place in the table after recording two wins, a draw and two defeats.
Manchester United influencer Mark Goldbridge suggested after the 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday that Erik ten Hag needs to drop the midfielder and described the 30-year-old’s showing as ‘rubbish’.
The Dutchman has since responded to the criticisms of his captain, backing the Portugal international to rediscover his best form for the club, stating that it’s only ‘a matter of time’ before he’s back to his best at Old Trafford.
Erik Ten Hag Backs Bruno Fernandes To Bounce Back
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham, Ten Hag was quizzed on whether Fernandes is fully fit or not, to which he responded: “I think the team brings him in a situation.
“I think he is capable, and he has proven already, so many times in the Premier League, he can create many chances.
“I am convinced he will not do differently. He will come on this point, he will find his form. He is already creating chances but he will make final passes, he will score goals. One hundred per cent and it is just a matter of time.”
United are narrowly favoured among the UK’s best football betting sites to come out on top against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday at a price of 13/10, meanwhile the visitors are rated at 15/8 to secure all three points.
Following this weekend’s clash against Tottenham, the Red Devils return to Europa League action with a trip to Portugal to take on Porto, before heading to the Midlands the following weekend to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.