As long as Manchester United remains dependent on Fernandes, they will continue to decline.

Manchester United struggle to win without Bruno Fernandes, but they also can't go far if they remain overly reliant on this midfielder.

Fernandes is both the glue that holds the team together and the anchor that hinders Manchester United from truly rebuilding.

Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United's only reliable star this season, but this exposes a core problem: the Red Devils are too dependent on the Portuguese midfielder's talent. In reality, Bruno's playing style has many limitations, and he's not the type of player who can take the team to new heights.

The numbers don't tell the whole story.

Bruno Fernandes is carrying Manchester United through one of their worst seasons in decades. With 17 goals and 18 assists, the captain seems to be the club's biggest asset, receiving praise from football legends like Wayne Rooney and the unwavering support of manager Ruben Amorim.

However, whenever Fernandes is absent, Manchester United immediately collapses. The 0-1 defeat to Wolves last weekend – when he was rested – is the latest example. Manchester United are not only overly reliant on Fernandes, they are almost paralyzed when he is absent.

At 30 years old, with over 50 appearances per season, Bruno cannot be the team's permanent anchor forever. The search for a successor is underway. Xavi Simons possesses the vision, finesse, and modern style that Manchester United crave, but his price tag is high (over £85 million). His limited Premier League experience also makes the young Dutch midfielder a risky choice.

Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha appears to be a more viable option, and Manchester United seem close to a deal, having agreed to pay Wolves' £64.2 million release clause.

The Brazilian international brings dynamism and creativity to the game – two elements that Man United are sorely lacking. Cunha has proven his ability to integrate into Amorim's system, but his impulsive nature, along with suspensions and controversies, raises concerns.

However, given MU's current status and financial situation, it's difficult for them to find higher-quality stars on the market. Bruno Fernandes' problem at MU over the past half-decade has always been his level of performance and his ability to shine in big matches.

Bruno arrived at MU at a time when the team was struggling to return to its peak. And it seems he was never strong enough to single-handedly elevate the team. His risky playing style, quick passing, tendency to lose possession, and limited ability to control the tempo and dictate play meant Bruno was never considered the best attacking midfielder in his position.

Bruno is also 31 years old.

Another reason Bruno has such a high assist and goal ratio is because he often takes penalties and free kicks for MU. In other words, MU is completely dependent on this midfielder. It's worth remembering that Bruno has never truly showcased his class or elevated the team's level with the Portuguese national team.

Waiting for Amorim

The Portuguese coach is planning to build a completely new team for the 2025/26 season, and where will Bruno fit into the new 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 system? In the role of a midfield orchestrator, Bruno lacks the composure and ball-handling ability.

In the role of a creative midfielder, Fernandes lacks the unique qualities and refined individual technique of De Bruyne, Modric, or Odegaard.

While Amorim dreams of a more balanced attacking lineup for MU next season, the harsh reality tells them that replacing Bruno is a necessity. The Red Devils may not need to sell Fernandes this summer, but keeping him on the bench could make a big difference.

In fact, over the past half-decade, Manchester United have regressed in terms of standing in both the Premier League and Europe during Bruno Fernandes' tenure. The two most significant trophies Bruno has helped MU win are the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

Witness the free-kick that sank MU. On the evening of April 20th, Sarabia unleashed a free-kick that nestled into the net, helping Wolves defeat Manchester United 1-0.

Source: https://znews.vn/con-phu-thuoc-fernandes-mu-con-lun-bai-post1548669.html