Former Liverpool and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has not been impressed with the performances of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Speaking to Genting Casino, Johnson said that the Portuguese international has failed to make an impact since the beginning of the campaign:

“I don’t want to say that Bruno Fernandes is overrated because he’s a brilliant football player, but I think it’s fair to say that we should be expecting more from him in a Manchester United shirt. We’ve seen his technical ability and his ability to score and create goals, but there’s a petulance to his game and there are antics to his game that can rub people up the wrong way.”

“I don’t think he’s shown his ability on a consistent basis enough for United so far this season. In the games where you need your experienced players to stand up and be counted, he hasn’t shown up. When things go against him, I think he can let it get to his head. I don’t think he’s captain material, to be honest. He’s certainly not demonstrated the behaviour a captain of Manchester United should in the last few games before the international break.”

Fernandes’ stats don’t make for good reading

The 30-year-old has really struggled at the start of this season and that is borne out in the statistics. In 7 Premier League appearances, he has 0 goals and just 1 assist.

Fernandes‘s figures are slightly better in all competitions, having created two goals in United’s 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup last month, while also setting up Alejandro Garnarcho for his goal in the Community Shield final versus Manchester City. However, the fact that he has failed to find the back of the net himself is a damning indictment of his form.

Who could United replace him with?

The prime candidate to take Fernandes’s place in the starting lineup would be Mason Mount but the England international has had a terrible time with injury.

Mount should be back in the fold for this weekend’s game against Brentford but he has really struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Considering that Fernandes only signed a new contract back in August too, it would be a surprise if he is dropped at any stage by manager Erik ten Hag.

Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here