Manchester United are repeating past mistakes with Bruno Fernandes

It's not long ago that Bruno Fernandes was the first name on the Manchester United team sheet, but right now, there is reason to suggest he doesn't even deserve to start anymore.

The 27-year-old's level of performance has dropped dramatically in the last couple of matches, including against Arsenal last weekend, where he reached arguably his lowest ebb in a United shirt with a disasterclass on a day when he captained the side and top-four failure was all but confirmed.

What makes Fernandes so frustrating at times also holds the key to his brilliance. He is a player who goes against the grain, ignoring percentage plays and safe options by taking risks, often uncalculated, in the hope of making something happen.

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It is this independent decision-making which United lacked so badly when they signed him in January 2020, identifying the Portuguese playmaker as the answer to a midfield which so often struggled to break down defensive opposition.

Even amid his torrid run of form, the stats speak for themselves. Fernandes has nine goals and 14 assists this season, taking his tally up to 49 goals and 39 assists for the club from just 122 appearances.

His impact since he joined from Sporting has certainly warranted a new contract, something which was first discussed within months of him joining the club, but United repeated past mistakes with the timing of it, seemingly rewarding a player when their current impact on the pitch didn't warrant it.

Since signing his new deal, Fernandes has played five matches, scoring no goals, registering no assists and missing a crucial penalty against Arsenal at the weekend. Though, it is