Why Bruno Fernandes is a serious concern for Manchester United and Michael Carrick

It’s been an underwhelming start to the season for many at Old Trafford

Since being bought out by INEOS, Manchester United has found new and increasingly creative ways to combat optimism in its fanbase.

United came into this new campaign off the back of a fine finish to the previous under Michael Carrick, who reversed their fortunes after a dismal start and battled into the European places. Perhaps predictably, he was promoted from interim to permanent head coach, and the wheels have come off.

The season’s first international break arrives with United having played seven matches, a period of time in which they have been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table, and pushed Gary Neville to trigger global discourse with some especially acerbic punditry. Oh, and bookies have slashed Carrick’s odds of winning the sack race.

Another day in paradise, then. Where do United go from here? To understand that, one must review how we got to this stage.

Which players have impressed?

Save for the supporting role he played in Lisandro Martinez’s calamitous own-goal at Craven Cottage, Senne Lammens has been in fine form between the sticks.

Matheus Cunha and Kobbie Mainoo have also impressed, though it is not difficult to stand out from the crowd in this side, generally flat and disinterested.

Shea Lacey deserves his flowers for making a smart goalscoring debut against Brighton, despite that match ending in ignominious defeat, and Benjamin Sesko is unfortunate to have been hit with a fresh injury just as he seemed to be finding form.

Which players have struggled?

Perhaps the most concerning facet of United’s slow start to the campaign is Bruno Fernandes’ underperformance.

At face value, his return of four goals and one assist from seven appearances is perfectly satisfactory. But the ticker tape must be caveated by the fact all those contributions all came against newly promoted Ipswich and Azerbaijani champions Sabah. United’s overreliance on their talisman is well documented, and his dip in form is cause for serious concern.

Marcus Rashford has plenty to prove this season after Barcelona decided against turning his loan permanent last summer, and he has yet to kick on at Old Trafford. Questions can be asked of the full defensive corps, which is in dire need of an overhaul.

How are the summer signings faring?

Perhaps eyebrows should have been raised back in July when Man United spent close to £50m on Andrey Santos, who was a backup at Chelsea.

In hindsight, it seems they have been fleeced. Carrick has settled on a preferred pivot of Kobbie Mainoo next to another summer signing in Youri Tielemans. Santos’ only competitive starts thus far have come in the stunning league defeat by Hull and the aforementioned Brighton humiliation.

Santos’ deployment, or lack thereof, is made all the more damning by the fact Tielemans has not been particularly effective, either. He played a central role as United were picked limb from limb at the MKM Stadium - for all the wrong reasons. He was then ineffectual as he played 90 minutes in the Brighton defeat, and distinctly forgettable in his other appearances. The Belgian has plenty still to prove.

Injured until recently, Carlos Baleba has yet to debut.

Bruno Fernandes

PA

What has the manager got right and wrong?

Carrick’s approach has been widely criticised this season, most notably in the front four. Surrounding Fernandes, he has preferred to deploy Cunha as a centre-forward, with Bryan Mbeumo on the wing.

His hands are somewhat tied with Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo both sidelined, but he has gone wrong in persisting with an experiment struggling to return goals. Attempts to change his side from week to week, seemingly, have been minimal.

There is also the question of his media presence. Carrick has only half-heartedly shrugged off questions of pressure, or his players appearing disinterested. That pressure will only grow should results stay substandard - one wonders how he will cope with the press then.

Revised end-of-season finish prediction

Whether this United side is good enough to qualify for Europe, is very much up for debate. Improvement is sorely needed if they are to do so, and I’m predicting a 7th-placed finish.