Manchester United's current predicament, where they are struggling to find a suitable replacement for Bruno Fernandes, is a situation entirely of their own making. The Portuguese midfielder has been a vital component of the team since his arrival in 2020, contributing goals and assists consistently. However, recent events have highlighted the club's over-reliance on him and their lack of preparedness for his potential absence.

Fernandes was forced off at halftime in the recent 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa with a soft tissue injury, and manager Ruben Amorim has admitted that he expects Fernandes to be out for a period of time. This news has sparked concerns about United's ability to perform without their captain and talisman. The statistics show a clear decline in the team's performance when Fernandes is not in the lineup. Their win percentage drops from 48.1% to 33.3%, their goals-per-match average decreases from 1.6 to 1.3, and their shots-per-match average falls from 14.5 to 10.7.

The question of how to replace Fernandes is now a pressing one. United's over-reliance on Fernandes is a problem that has been brewing for some time. His "omnipresence and reliability" has meant that the team has rarely played without him, making it difficult to assess how they would cope in his absence. The club's failure to adequately plan for this eventuality is a reflection of poor squad management and a lack of foresight. Several names have been mentioned as potential replacements for Fernandes. Eberechi Eze, Bryan Mbeumo and Pedro Goncalves are potential replacements for Bruno Fernandes. Other options include Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Federico Valverde.

However, finding a like-for-like replacement for Fernandes is a tall order. He is not only a creative force but also a leader on the pitch. His work rate, passing range, and ability to score crucial goals are qualities that are difficult to replicate. Manchester United's struggles to find a suitable replacement for Bruno Fernandes highlight a deeper issue at the club. Their dependence on one player is a sign of poor squad depth and a lack of strategic planning. To address this, United needs to invest in players who can share the creative burden and provide leadership on the pitch. They also need to develop a tactical system that is not solely reliant on one individual. By failing to address these issues, Manchester United have created a mess of their own making.