“It’s enough now. We don’t need such dreadful performances anymore. You need to build your team in a way that you are dependent on such a flop” This is according to Manchester United former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he cautions that Erik Ten Hag needs to drop this Manchester United player with a 0% contribution rate after his dreadful performance against Crystal Palace
Manchester United faced another disappointment with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday night, raising questions about Erik ten Hag’s next selection moves. After suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool before the international break, United appeared to regain some momentum with victories over Southampton and Barnsley. However, the uninspiring performance against Palace suggests that much more work is needed if they hope to challenge for a top-four spot this season. Despite dominating possession and taking more shots, one player’s performance stood out for the wrong reasons.
Ten Hag now faces a dilemma with Bruno Fernandes, as the captain struggled to make an impact at Selhurst Park. Fernandes, who signed a long-term contract earlier in the summer, has found it difficult to recapture his form this season. His display against Crystal Palace only added to concerns, leading to speculation that a change in the starting lineup might be necessary.
According to Sofascore, Fernandes lost possession 34 times during the 94 minutes he was on the pitch, a worrying statistic that could have jeopardized the team’s performance. In comparison, Amad Diallo lost the ball 19 times, the second-highest among United’s starters. Fernandes had an opportunity to redeem himself with a late free-kick, but his delivery was easily cleared by the Palace defense. His passing accuracy was just 72%, the lowest of any starting player.
Although Fernandes contributed two key passes, he also had three shots off target, missed a big chance, and lost possession far too often. Despite these struggles, he played the full 90 minutes, while Christian Eriksen was subbed off with 15 minutes remaining.
With more players available after a busy summer transfer window, Ten Hag now has more options to consider in his selection. Mason Mount, who joined from Chelsea but has been hampered by injuries, is still trying to establish himself as a regular starter. It was surprising that Mount remained on the bench, especially when United’s initial game plan wasn’t working. Ten Hag also has the option to deploy Christian Eriksen in a more advanced role if changes are made to the midfield setup.
Dropping Fernandes from the lineup would be a bold decision, but it may be necessary. Continuing to rely on him while he’s out of form isn’t doing the team any favors, and it might be time for Ten Hag to explore alternative solutions.
