Bruno Fernandes: 12-Match Goals Drought Highlights Man Utd's Finishing Woes

Bruno Fernandes’ Goal Drought: A Closer Look

When Bruno Fernandes scored a stunning strike with his weaker left foot from 25 yards, sliding on his knees in front of the Stretford End in celebration of clinching a comeback win over Sheffield United last April, he had reached a prolific streak of seven goals in his last five matches for Manchester United. However, since then, the scenario has drastically changed.

The Longest Drought

Twelve matches have passed, and Fernandes is still seeking his next goal. His current goal drought is the longest of his career at Man Utd, coming after his most prolific spell. Fans have witnessed his relentless attempts at scoring, including two recent shots against Southampton with an agonizingly low probability of entering the net, each granted barely more than a one percent chance by Opta.

Statistical Analysis

During this dry spell, Fernandes has taken an astounding 30 shots without success. Notably, his count of 17 attempts in the Premier League this season is the highest among players in Europe’s major divisions who have yet to score. In fact, Fernandes has not hit the target in his last four Premier League games, coming painfully close against Crystal Palace and narrowly missing opportunities that would typically be converted.

Manchester United’s Overall Goal Struggles

Unfortunately for United boss Erik ten Hag, Fernandes’ struggles are emblematic of a wider issue within the team. Manchester United ranks third for expected goals this season in the Premier League, accumulating a total of 9.10 expected goals. Despite this, they’ve squandered more clear-cut chances than any other team, missing 17 out of 19 big opportunities created, only preceded by relegation-threatened Southampton in this grim statistic.

Current Team Performance

These miss-fires have resulted in only five goals scored, which is almost half of what they should have netted based on their created chances. Players like Joshua Zirkzee, who has also missed his share of big chances, highlight the team’s struggle for efficient goal-scoring abilities. The team’s current standings present challenges, with only two wins from their first five Premier League games, landing them in 11th place and already four points off the top four.

Looking Ahead: Can Fernandes Bounce Back?

Amid the disappointments, there remains hope. The return of Rasmus Hojlund to full fitness could bolster their attacking setup, while Marcus Rashford shows signs of returning to form. The pressing question remains: will Bruno Fernandes find his scoring touch against Spurs this Sunday? The anticipation builds as fans hope for a return to form for their captain during a crucial matchup.

Conclusion

Fernandes’ current drought serves as a reminder of the fluctuations present in football, pairing moments of brilliance with spells of difficulty. Nonetheless, it’s evident that both Fernandes and Manchester United need to find their rhythm if aspirations for a successful season are to be met. Will the magic return to the Stretford End? Only time will tell.