Bruno Fernandes has not been able to keep up the rate of goal-scoring he managed when he first arrived at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)
Thierry Henry says it is only natural that Bruno Fernandes is scoring fewer goals and providing fewer assists at Manchester United after the arrivals of other big players as ‘an orchestra has only one conductor.’
The Portuguese star remains a key figure at United under Erik ten Hag, with the new manager even making him captain, so there is no issue for Fernandes in terms of his place in the side.
However, he is not racking up the stats like he did when he first arrived in England in January 2020, scoring eight goals in his first 14 Premier League games, then netting 18 times in his first full season.
Fernandes scored 10 league goals last campaign, but has scored just once in his first nine league appearances this time around.
Henry believes his numbers were so good early on that they were always likely to slip, while the signings of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Christian Eriksen have also not helped Fernandes’ statistics.
While they are world class players, the Arsenal legend says Fernandes was able to dictate games before those huge signings, but now he is no longer the focus of the team.
‘I always say In an orchestra you have one conductor. He leads the tempo of the game,’ Henry said on Amazon Prime.
‘When he first arrived it was about him, and the numbers he had in his first season were the numbers you have after three or four seasons at a club.
‘It was always going to go a bit lower, but then Ronaldo arrives, the ball goes to Ronaldo, a penalty, a free-kick goes to Ronaldo so your confidence is a bit lower.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Christian Eriksen have both joined the Red Devils since Fernandes was signed (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Eriksen arrives. You don’t play with two balls or three balls. You have the ball less so you cannot affect the tempo of the game.
‘Guys have an effect on the game off the ball, or the pass before the pass to the goal and what it does. People don’t like to mention that at times.
‘Yes the numbers were great, but I’m afraid you only have one conductor who can lead the orchestra.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag explains dropping Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United vs Tottenham
MORE : ‘Class is permanent’ – Bruno Fernandes responds to criticism of his form for Manchester United
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‘You don’t play with two balls.’