Varun Pai
Manchester United have growing fatigue concerns about Bruno Fernandes
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t The Express], Manchester United have growing concerns about the fatigue issues of Bruno Fernandes after he was subbed off in Portugal’s latest 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland.
The 27-year-old featured for his country during their World Cup qualifiers against the Irishmen on Thursday night. However, he could not influence the game and failed to combine with club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, which resulted in him being hooked in the 75th minute for Renato Sanches.
That has often been the case for the duo in domestic colours as well. Since the centre-forward joined from Juventus, Fernandes has not been able to get on the scoresheet as much. In turn, the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner has continued with fine goalscoring form.
Ronaldo has often bailed out the club this season, quite notably in the UEFA Champions League. The attacking midfielder has often turned creator this season, but his goal-scoring tally has taken quite a hit.
After scoring 28 times across all competitions last season, he has only been able to find the back of the net on four occasions so far this campaign. There are now concerns in the United camp that this dip in form is due to fatigue.
The Portuguese midfielder has featured in 94 games for club and country since the start of last season. He has the ability to turn the game on its head, courtesy of which he features in most matches.
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And it does not look like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to stop depending on his chief creator any time soon. The Red Devils lost to Man City before the international break, thereby picking up only one victory out of their last six league games.
The pressure is on the Norwegian boss, and he will be expecting his side to turn up when they face Watford next week before visiting Villarreal and Chelsea for crunch ties. Thus, despite the concerns about the kind of toll Fernandes might be taking on, the midfielder will need to pick his performances up soon if United hope to turn things around.
