Manchester United were worryingly poor in defeat to Everton at Old Trafford, and Bruno Fernandes’ performance was again an area of concern as his struggles continue.
It is now three games without a win for Manchester United, and Ruben Amorim will know that he needs to turn things around very quickly, otherwise discontent will once again grow.
One thing is certain: Amorim needs his captain, Bruno Fernandes‘ help, and recently, the Portuguese midfielder simply hasn’t been anywhere near good enough, and this continued as United lost 1-0 against Everton.
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Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Fernandes was terrible against Everton, with the goal conceded seeing him play a direct role with a weak attempt to stop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from progressing toward the box.
But beyond this, there is a bigger concern I have with the United captain.
Bruno Fernandes applauds Manchester United fans.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes’ leadership at Manchester United is getting put to shame by Bryan Mbeumo
This season, the number eight has performed to a worrying level, which might have United wishing they’d taken the offer from Al-Hilal to sign Fernandes and instead rebuilt.
Against Everton, there was a similar performance to his recent frustrating outings, with poor passes and wasteful efforts at goal.
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But it was his leadership that specifically irked me against the Toffees.
Around the 85th minute, United’s heads were beginning to drop, and Fernandes could be seen waving his arms at his team, complaining and moaning at players for every mistake, despite making plenty of his own.
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In contrast to this, Bryan Mbeumo was clapping to his team and waving his arms in a manner which suggested he was attempting to hype them up and raise effort levels at a time when belief of breaking down Everton was diminishing.
This kind of leadership is what United’s players needed at a time when the crowd was beginning to turn with chants of ‘attack, attack, attack’ and the head coach getting angry on the touchline.
Bryan Mbeumo also led Manchester United at full-time
As the final whistle went, the majority of Old Trafford erupted into a chorus of boos, which was deserved given the performance that was endured by fans.
However, United still did a lap of the pitch to applaud fans for the support and leading this was Mbeumo.
Summer signing Mbeumo was 10 metres ahead of anyone else, taking the brunt of any criticism being directed from the fanbase, which in many ways is exactly what a leader should be doing.
Fernandes, meanwhile, was in a group further back, which might be a little thing, but it certainly isn’t a leading-from-the-front attitude.
Roy Keane has always been critical of Fernandes as the captain, and he will feel vindicated after this.