Bruno Fernandes went into the 2026/27 season fresh off the back of a record-breaking Premier League campaign.

Manchester United’s captain recorded a whopping 20 assists as he pipped Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s single-season record of 19.

The start to the new season has been anything but the same.

While a hat-trick performance against Ipswich Town did suggest a loss to Hull City on opening day was just a blip, Fernandes and United have flattered to deceive since.

After questioning his manager Michael Carrick’s Como tactics in the Champions League, the Portuguese footballer was left out of the team for a game against Bournemouth.

United lost three-nil, and a disappointed Bruno sat on the bench for the ninety with a cloud above his head.

Fernandes was shown his Ballon d’Or verdict just hours later – a respectable 27th. One suspects his 2027 ranking won’t be as high, while it’s very early to say.

The Daily Mail have given their own verdict on Fernandes amid poor form. The publication reveals that the United captain is described as an “emotional metronome” who often sets the mood around the club, both good and bad.

The midfielder is believed to have been “worn down” by United’s current form, which explains his body language on the pitch during some of their recent defeats.

Some of Fernandes’ teammates in recent years have seen him as a more divisive figure, the report continued, and his close relationship with Ruben Amorim was viewed with suspicion. It’s not good reading.

Fernandes is an excellent player – even his biggest critics will agree with that.

His temperament has often come into question, however, and with the club’s current plight, the Red Devils must stop the rot.

Dropping the club captain is not the resolution, as seen against Bournemouth.

Michael Carrick must look for inspiration elsewhere if he is to fix dropping standards at his beloved football club, and if reports are correct, Bruno Fernandes is not completely popular with his teammates.

It’s a difficult problem for anybody to fix.