Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is setting higher expectations for himself, particularly in terms of goal-scoring.
The captain’s urgency to score is timely, as embattled head coach Erik ten Hag has been given a temporary reprieve.
The upcoming four matches, against teams United are expected to beat, have been marked as critical for the Dutchman.
Without a noticeable improvement in results and performances, he may not retain his position after the international break.
However, as the international period progresses, Ten Hag faces the added challenge of a growing injury list, particularly affecting his defensive lineup.
Fernandes has yet to score for United in 10 appearances this season, although he found the net for Portugal in their 2-1 victory over Scotland last month.
The midfielder has hit the crossbar twice in United’s scoreless draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Acknowledging his struggles, Fernandes admitted that he must take responsibility for his failure to convert chances.
His next goal for the club will be his 80th across all competitions, a milestone only five other United foreign players—Eric Cantona, Anthony Martial, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ruud van Nistelrooy—have achieved.
Despite their disappointing start to the season, United have a relatively manageable set of fixtures ahead, providing Ten Hag an opportunity to prove his worth and show the club’s leadership that he is still the right fit.
The team has collected just eight points from their opening seven league matches, and only newly promoted Southampton have netted fewer goals.
A board meeting held at INEOS headquarters in London on Tuesday did not produce a definitive decision about Ten Hag’s future. Nevertheless, he remains under pressure, with the next few games being crucial.
After the international break, United will face Brentford at Old Trafford, followed by three additional matches that could seal Ten Hag’s fate.
In terms of injuries, fullbacks Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia continue their long-term recovery, while Leny Yoro, who suffered a foot fracture in pre-season, is still not match-ready, though he has resumed training with the squad.