Man Utd have big Bruno Fernandes problem ahead of Chelsea FA Cup clash

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes is expected to start when the Red Devils lock horns with Chelsea in their FA Cup showdown on Sunday.

For so long, Bruno Fernandes has been near-perfect for Manchester United. However, in recent matches against Southampton and Crystal Palace, the Portugal international hasn’t been himself. And, ahead of the club’s FA Cup showdown with Chelsea on Saturday, that represents a problem.


Manchester United have seen Fernandes flourish ever since his move to the club from Sporting Lisbon back in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side turn their campaign around, boosting their chances of finishing in the Premier League top four in the process.

But, in recent matches, Fernandes hasn’t been operating at the peak of his powers.

Such dips in form are inevitable. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can score in every single match, despite their sensational talents.

But, given United face Chelsea in their FA Cup showdown on Sunday, it’s a worry for the club. Especially when you analyse their recent performances.

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Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes will need to improve in Chelsea FA Cup clash (Image: GETTY)


In the 3-0 win over Sheffield United on June 24, he was successful in 67 per cent of his total actions.

Against Norwich that number dropped slightly to 62 per cent - although he did spend more time on the pitch with that FA Cup match going to extra time.

In the 3-0 win over Brighton, in a match he scored a brilliant brace in, Fernandes was successful in 62 per cent of his total match actions.

It was a similar number in the 5-2 thumping of Bournemouth, with the 25-year-old operating at a rate of 70 per cent.

And, against Aston Villa earlier in the month, Fernandes came off having clocked up a 64 per cent success rate.
Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes was off the pace in Crystal Palace win (Image: GETTY)

However, in the two matches since the showdown at Villa Park, the Portugal international has appeared to struggle.

In the 2-2 draw with Southampton on Monday he managed to complete just 45 per cent of his total actions. 29 out of 64, to be precise.

Solskjaer shut down talk of his players looking tired after that match. He insisted they had had enough time to rest and prepare and, against Crystal Palace, United were significantly better.

But Fernandes, too, struggled. Firstly he missed a sitter with the game delicately poised at 1-0, a miss that could have cost them dearly.

And he looked off the pace throughout the showdown. His rate of 52 per cent was still considerably down on what he’d managed against the likes of Sheffield United, Norwich, Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa since the restart.


Against Chelsea, United will need him back to his best.

The’ve already beaten the Blues three times this season - with and without Fernandes in the side - but Frank Lampard’s side are tricky opponents.

Chelsea have also beaten United twice at Wembley in the past 13 years, in the 2007 and 2018 FA Cup finals.

So United, and Fernandes, will need to be operating at a 100 per cent rate. If not, their hopes of lifting the trophy may be ended.