BREAKING NEWS: “Enough is enough. We can’t have performances like this anymore. Your team shouldn’t rely on a player who consistently fails.” This is the warning from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, advising Erik Ten Hag to let go of a player who had no impact in the recent match against Crystal Palace.

Manchester United’s recent challenges have once again been highlighted following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. After a brief period of improvement, which saw them secure victories over Southampton in the Premier League and Barnsley in the EFL Cup, this latest result has raised questions about the team’s ability to break into the top four this season under Erik ten Hag. Despite not losing to Palace, the game exposed significant problems that remain unresolved, even after some encouraging performances.

Before the international break, United suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to rivals Liverpool, leaving fans worried. Though there were signs of recovery in the following games, the draw with Crystal Palace has brought back doubts about the squad’s overall consistency.

United dominated possession and had more shots on target, but their failure to score highlights deeper issues within the team. A key focus of criticism has been Bruno Fernandes, who has struggled to influence games in recent weeks.

Once the creative driving force behind United, Fernandes has been underperforming this season. After signing a new contract in the summer, much was expected of him, but he has not delivered. In the game against Palace, he lost possession 34 times, a shocking number for a player of his caliber. In comparison, Amad Diallo, the second-highest in possession losses among United’s starters, lost the ball only 19 times. This has led to concerns about Fernandes’ current form and impact on the team.

Fernandes had a chance to redeem himself late in the game with a free kick, but his poor delivery was easily cleared by the Palace defense. His overall passing accuracy was just 72%, the lowest among United’s starters.

For someone expected to be the team’s main playmaker, these statistics are concerning. Despite registering two key passes, Fernandes’ three off-target shots and a missed big chance only added to the frustration.

Erik ten Hag now faces a tough decision regarding Fernandes’ role in the team. With players like Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen available, the manager has options to refresh the midfield and possibly improve the team’s attacking creativity.

Dropping Fernandes may be difficult, given his past influence, but continuing to play him in his current form could harm the team’s chances of achieving a top-four finish this season.

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