Manchester United fans might have to accept the gutting reality about Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United's opening game of the season against Leeds pointed towards an enthralling campaign. United sauntered to an emphatic 5-1 win at Old Trafford and Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, with Paul Pogba recording four assists.

It was a breathless game that showcased United's individuals at their world-class best. There is an irony that United's best performance of the season - that match against Leeds - was orchestrated by individuals, as that would gradually prove to be this side's very undoing as results dramatically unravelled. There would be no cohesion on the pitch as the weeks progressed.

After the signings of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left with no choice but to ask his side to play in a more expansive manner. The players attempted to respond to that desire, but they were poorly coached, tactically neglected and Solskjaer's fate was sealed. United's season has never recovered from those disastrous first few months.

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There has been no shortage of debacles this term and United's players have deservedly received unprecedented criticism in the wake of their every failure. United have matched their longest run without silverware for 40 years this season and there's nowhere to hide at the club. The most untouchable of players at United are feeling the pressure and even Fernandes is one of those.

The Stretford End serenading Fernandes with 'BRUNO! BRUNO! BRUNO!' as he walked off the pitch with the match ball after the opening game of the season now seems like a distant memory. Fernandes made an immediate impact after signing for United in January 2020 and he's been genuinely