Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has leapt in support of club captain Bruno Fernandes as the Portguese midfielder continues to struggle in the early parts of the season.
The Dutch manager in his pre-match conference on Thursday ahead of their weekend action in the Premier League, said its only a matter of time before the United No. 8 returns to his best form.
Fernandes’ struggles this campaign is clear as he is yet to find the back of the net and has only recorded three assists in seven matches in all competitions, with two coming against League One side Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round.
When asked if Fernandes, who played a substantial amount of games for the Red devils last season and for Portugal at the European Championships this summer was fatigued, ten Hag refuted the claims and reaffirmed that the midfielder will find his footing soon.
“I think the team brings him in a situation. I think he is capable and he has proven already, so many times in the Premier League, he can create many chances,” Ten Hag told the club media.
“I am convinced he will not do differently. He will come on this point, he will find his form. He is already creating chances but he will make final passes, he will score goals. One hundred per cent and it is just a matter of time.”
United have failed to win their last two games in all competitions – a goalless draw away at Crystal Palace and a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to ten Hag’s former side FC Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday.
The 13-time Premier League winners have found it tough to find the back of the net, a recurring theme from last season. They have scored only five league goals this campaign and when asked about what they need to do differently, the former Ajax manager stated that they need to be clinical.
“Not scoring goals enough. That is the problem, ” he said. That is the key area. We have to score goals as a team.
“I think across the team, we have the ability to score. That is clear, when you see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”
Onwards to Sunday ✊#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/4rlZSHZBPq
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 26, 2024
United are up against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this Sunday at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils have not managed to beat Spurs for two years in a fixture they would usually dominate in times past.
With this being a must win for United as they sit 11th in the standings heading into matchday six, while their opponents, who also have seven points, are 10th, ten Hag says he expects an intense game from both sides.
“I think it will be a very intense game,” he said “It is always against Tottenham and I think it is also our style as well. So I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game.”
“Every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and Tottenham have their strengths in their philosophy. [That is] very clear. [They are] very attacking but [that] leaves also space.
“That is what we take into account that can maybe help but you have to be very good against Tottenham. We want to control the game and you need the high performance level. We will create again I am sure but we need to take our chances.”
