Manchester United staff detail ‘exact moment’ Bruno Fernandes’ season changed, it was his darkest this campaign

Manchester United staff have reportedly marked the exact moment they feel Bruno Fernandes turned his season around after a dark performance toward the end of 2024.

Rúben Amorim’s opening few months as Manchester United manager has been more consistent than anyone expected, with fantastic results against sides such as Arsenal and Manchester City mixed in with horrid performances elsewhere.

Amorim took over the squad with the side sat 14th in the Premier League table, and they remain just so, and have been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

However, the squad also remain the only team yet to lose a game in the Europa League and Champions League, with hopes that winning the former competition will lift them back into the latter.

Amid the club’s torrid financial issues, qualifying for the Champions League through winning the Europa League would hand the club significant monetary backing, allowing for a much-needed overhaul of players in the summer window.

Bruno Fernandes has had a complicated season

One player who is set to stay at United is club captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been essential to Amorim since the turn of 2025.

The Portuguese international has had a hand in 25 goals this campaign so far, a milestone he has reached across his last three seasons, a feat only two other Premier League players have achieved – Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and City’s Erling Haaland.

However, this flurry of numbers has only come recently. Before Erik ten Hag was sacked as the club’s manager in October, Fernandes hadn’t scored a single goal this season, only betting his first during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s opening game in charge as interim boss.

Fernandes has become essential to Amorim both on and off the field. On the pitch, he has been a leader and has been a specialist in dead-ball situations of late, creating many of United’s recent chances.

Off the pitch, he has been pivotal in holding the squad together and continuing to offer belief during an all-time low to be a United player across the last 35 years.

The turning point for Fernandes this season

Although Fernandes kicked into gear once Ten Hag departed Old Trafford, United staff have privately pointed out the exact moment they feel Fernandes’ season changed for the better, and it was during one of his darkest days this campaign.

According to the Manchester Evening News, staff within the club have noted that Fernandes has shown a marked change since he was sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December last year, a game that marked his darkest point this season.

On the day, Fernandes played just 47 minutes before being sent off for a second yellow card. It was a truly awful performance from the 31-year-old, who completed just one of his three attempted crosses, won just three of his 13 attempted duels, and committed two fouls.

It was Fernandes’ third red card of the season – although his first against Tottenham Hotspur was overturned – but his temperament has been much better since then.

It was his final performance of 2024, and 2025 has seen the player rejuvenate his game, scoring six goals and providing three assists since then, although he has had a hand in many more that will not be attributed to him.

Read More: “What a player…” – Alejandro Garnacho sends extraordinary praise to Manchester United teammate after Arsenal heroics

It is a real question to ask where United would be without Fernandes this season, with the side sitting uncomfortably close to relegation.

It’s a fantasy for rivals that will not happen, but relegation would be devastating for the club, and Fernandes is a big reason why it won’t be on the cards this summer.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.