Man United fans want the same player brought off after dismal Aston Villa display

Manchester United fans were united in their belief that a particular player needed to be substituted following a poor performance in the latest match against Aston Villa. Frustrations had been building for weeks as United’s form continued to decline, and this match at Villa Park appeared to be the breaking point.

The Red Devils entered Villa Park after a disheartening four-game winless run, leaving fans increasingly worried about the team’s overall performances. A painful loss to Tottenham Hotspur and a frustrating 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League—despite having a 2-0 lead—had already cast doubt on the squad’s ability to compete at the highest level. In both games, Bruno Fernandes, the captain and typically the team’s creative engine, was sent off. Although his red card against Spurs was later overturned, his inability to remain on the pitch raised concerns among supporters.

Despite these setbacks, Erik ten Hag opted to keep Fernandes in the starting lineup for the clash with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Unfortunately for the Portuguese midfielder, his struggles continued. He was out of sorts, repeatedly losing possession in dangerous areas and failing to contribute meaningfully to the attack. It was obvious to everyone watching that something was amiss with one of United’s key players, and fans were quick to voice their frustrations.

Although Fernandes has been a vital player for United since his arrival, some supporters now believed it was time for him to be benched. One fan was blunt, saying, “This is the most out-of-form Bruno Fernandes we’ve seen in a United shirt. I’d seriously consider bringing Amad on for the second half.” This sentiment echoed across social media, with many questioning Ten Hag’s decision to keep Fernandes on the pitch. Another fan sarcastically remarked, “Villa’s only good player so far has been Bruno Fernandes,” a harsh critique of how his mistakes were benefiting the opposition.

The criticism didn’t stop there. One fan suggested that the manager was too lenient with Fernandes, writing, “Ten Hag is definitely scared of Bruno Fernandes. This is nonsense!” implying that the coach was reluctant to make difficult choices regarding his captain. Others expressed their frustration more directly, with one pleading, “Please get Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes OFF the football pitch.”

Another fan summed up the collective frustration by advising Fernandes to step away from the team for his own benefit: “Bruno Fernandes, just bench yourself, bro, for like a month,” acknowledging that the midfielder might need time to reset and regain his form.

It was clear that fans had run out of patience, and the calls for Fernandes to be dropped were growing louder. Whether Ten Hag will heed these demands remains uncertain, but the increasing pressure on both the manager and his star player could result in significant changes to the lineup as United seek to halt their alarming decline.