Herrera says Fernandes is a solution, not the cause, of United’s problems

Bruno Fernandes set the Premier League single-season assist record with 21 last term, but Manchester United’s poor start has brought fresh criticism of their captain. Former United midfielder Ander Herrera argues that the team’s struggles should not erase the contribution and leadership Fernandes has shown through difficult seasons.

“For me, he’s a leader,” Herrera said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “He has had Manchester United on his back a lot of years, a lot of seasons. Sometimes playing, I’m not going to say alone, but carrying the history of the club on his shoulders.”

Fernandes also won the Premier League Player of the Season award last term and opened this campaign with a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in August. He has since found it difficult to sustain those standards, as has United as a team. They sit 13th with six points from six league games, having won once, drawn three and lost twice.

That record gives the criticism its context, but it does not prove Fernandes is the source of United’s problems. Herrera pointed instead to the captain’s willingness to keep demanding the ball, contribute goals and assists, and speak to the media after defeats.

“In difficult times he was there, always putting his face there, asking for the ball, scoring goals, assisting,” Herrera said. “After defeats, going to the media to talk.” He added that Fernandes “deserves credit. A lot of credit” and asked: “How can Bruno be the problem? He has been a solution a lot of times.”

Herrera played 189 times and scored 20 goals for United during five years at the club, from 2014 to 2019. His defence of Fernandes came alongside a call for patience with manager Michael Carrick. Herrera said United need to give coaches time to build, and described Carrick as “the man” who can bring trophies to the club.

He stopped short of predicting an immediate title, saying he did not know whether Carrick would win the Premier League within two or three years. His expectation was that Carrick would have United competing.

For now, results are the pressure point for both the manager and captain. United’s next chance to shift the focus back to the pitch is away at Leeds United on Sunday 18 October, with kick-off at 14:00 BST.