Ten Hag Must Make Fernandes Decision
The captain struggled to make an impact at Selhurst Park
Bruno Fernandes has struggled for form this season, despite penning a new long-term contract with the club earlier this summer. Saturday night’s performance against Palace summed up the midfielder’s lacklustre displays in recent times, and it’s time Ten Hag looks to freshen things up.
According to Sofascore in the 94 minutes played at Selhurst Park, Fernandes lost possession 34 times, which could have proved costly for the team. To put that into context, Amad Diallo gave the ball away 19 times, and he was the second highest in turnovers among the starters.
Fernandes had an opportunity to make amends with the final kick of the game, as United were awarded a late free-kick, but his ball into the box was comfortably dealt with and cleared by the Palace defence. The midfielder had a passing accuracy of just 72% which, again, was the worst of all the starters.
Three of Fernandes’ shots were off target and he missed one big chance. He provided two key passes and won an aerial duel, but that was about as good as things got for the Portuguese international.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Fernandes somehow lasted the full 90 minutes. It was clear at half-time he wasn’t at the races, but Ten Hag instead opted to take off Christian Eriksen with 15 minutes left to play.
Mount deserves chance to stake a claim
The 25-year-old had his injury problems last season
Ten Hag no longer has the excuse of injuries and limited squad availability when continuing to pick out of form players. After a busy summer and key names returning to fitness, the manager has the options on the bench to switch things up.
Mason Mount, who joined the club from Chelsea last summer, suffered with injury problems last term, and is yet to really establish himself as a regular starter in the team. But, it’s unclear why he was an unused substitute against Palace, especially because the initial approach wasn’t working.
Ten Hag has options in the attacking midfield role. Mount can play there, or if Manuel Ugarte becomes the expected partner for Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, Eriksen can be pushed forward into his more favoured position.
Dropping your captain is a statement decision, but it is one Ten Hag needs to make. Continuing to play Fernandes when he’s out of form isn’t good for the team, and it isn’t good for the player.
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