The biggest Bruno Fernandes 'myth' is shattered by ex-Man Utd target as any world-class talent would do it – opinion

Bruno Fernandes is actually “unreal” at something that he does for Manchester United, despite a repeated criticism that is aimed at the Portugal international.

That is according to Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, who has now explained why Bruno Fernandes has impressed him at the Red Devils.

Adam Wharton was linked with United in the past and the 22-year-old England international was tipped as a potential target for Ineos’ midfield summer rebuild.

United ultimately did not make a move for the Three Lions international and instead signed midfield trio Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

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Adam Wharton puts up a huge defence for Bruno Fernandes in the Man Utd No 10 role and his passing accuracy

Bruno Fernandes has been underperforming in the 2026-27 Premier League campaign compared with his stunning exploits in the second half of last season. The 32-year-old Manchester United captain was moved into the No 10 role during Michael Carrick’s interim head coach reign and went on to break the Premier League assist record.

Fernandes secured an impressive 21 assists in 35 Premier League matches in the 2025-26 campaign, while he has only a single assist from seven league fixtures this season. Despite his impact in the No 10 position, Fernandes’ misplaced passes have often been used against him as a criticism.

According to the Premier League’s official website, the former Sporting CP midfielder had an 82 per cent pass completion rate after his 1,994 passes from 35 league matches. Speaking to Sky Sports, Adam Wharton thinks that Fernandes could have a 100 per cent passing rate if needed, but it would come at the risk of him not creating any chances.

“He could get a 100 per cent pass rate, but he wouldn’t get them [assists]; he wouldn’t get the assist record last year,” he said.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker reacts to Bruno Fernandes’ criticism of Michael Carrick and sees ‘point’ Man Utd ace was making

Wharton added: “So, players in these positions have to take risks and he does that and when it comes off, obviously, he gets the praise and then when he doesn’t, people are going to criticise him, but that’s just part of the position, I think.”

Compared with his 82 per cent completion rate last season, Fernandes has put up the same number again from the opening seven league matches. However, it is based on fewer passes, as the Man Utd star has pulled off 409 passes compared with the 1,994 from the 2025-26 campaign.

Wharton’s shattering of the Fernandes ‘myth’ came after he admitted that he would want any No 10 to create more chances rather than being worried about their overall passing accuracy and completion rate.

“And if I was playing with a number 10, I’d rather they miss 10 passes and get two right than get 12 passes right, but not create any chances,” he continued.

“So, I think he’s unreal as a number 10.”

Fernandes has a 56 per cent completed record from his long passes this season (52 so far), which is slightly below the 60 per cent (230 passes) that he put up in the previous campaign for United.