Manchester United's new-look midfield could help Erik ten Hag unleash the real Bruno Fernandes

The last time Manchester United squared up to Nottingham Forest, it was their midfielders that got them out of trouble.

Trailing 2-0 after a disastrous opening four minutes at Old Trafford back in August, United, just as they have on several other occasions this season, faced an uphill struggle in the quest for points. However, goals from Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro sealed an unlikely comeback to secure a hard-fought victory.

Eriksen instigated the comeback before half-time, converting Marcus Rashford's low cross to give United hope. Casemiro then levelled things up before Fernandes dispatched the winner from the penalty spot.

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As well as scoring the winner that afternoon, Fernandes also played a key role in Casemiro's equaliser, grabbing the assist after a well-worked free-kick routine from the training ground paid off. That marks the only occasion so far this season that the Portuguese international has scored and provided an assist in the same Premier League fixture.

So often a creative hub, Fernandes has failed to hit the high notes for goals and assists so far this season, registering 10 in all competitions thus far. More concerning, however, is that he has produced just six (three goals, three assists) in 18 Premier League outings.

For a player who is renowned as one of the best attacking midfielders in the business, it is a return he is likely to be both frustrated and disappointed with. Fernandes has not scored in the Premier League since the 1-0 win over Fulham on November 4 and has registered just one assist in the league since the