Bruno Fernandes sums up Manchester United's failings in this sorry season vs Arsenal

If there is a player who is symptomatic of Manchester United's malaise it is Bruno Fernandes. In the behind-closed-doors era of games played in sterile training ground atmospheres, Fernandes converted 19 penalties and missed one. With crowds back, Fernandes has missed both he has taken in regulation time.

Fernandes is not the only United player to have been found out with supporters clicking through the turnstiles and expectations raised. All that Fernandes has raised this season has been his salary.

Incapable of recovering from the penalty he pulled wide, Fernandes assisted Granit Xhaka in reopening Arsenal's two-goal lead 13 minutes later.

Read more: United player ratings vs Arsenal

The latest recipient of an ill-timed contract doled out by a charitable hierarchy, Fernandes is deemed untouchable when right now he is unplayable. Fernandes's form, problematic all season, has plummeted since he was ushered into the Carrington press room to sign his papers and boost United's social media impressions. Fernandes is currently making the wrong impression. He was substituted to cackles from the Arsenal fans.

Chosen to step up on account of Cristiano Ronaldo's miss against Middlesbrough two months ago, Fernandes staggered, paused and pulled his own penalty too wide, flicking the post. Aaron Ramsdale could hardly have dived further away from the ball but celebrated gleefully, stopping just short of Fernandes, as though he had psyched him out.

As a constant pick and under contract for the long-term, Fernandes is an obvious contender to inherit the captaincy from Harry Maguire under Erik ten Hag. The sight of Fernandes, sporting the armband with Maguire dropped, rollocking a teammate having punted the ball out for a goal kick was