Only Cole Palmer is in better form than Bruno Fernandes among Dream Team midfielders right now

MANCHESTER UNITED were involved in yet another chaotic match on Sunday.

Liverpool enjoyed the majority of possession at Old Trafford and overwhelmed the hosts for most of the contest but the Red Devils somehow came away with a point despite conceding 28 shots.

Bruno Fernandes (£5.1m) changed the complexion of the game just after half-time with a exquisite long-range strike to capitalise on a misplaced pass by Jarell Quansah (£2.1m) when Caoimhin Kelleher (£2.6m) was well outfield.

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The Portugal international’s strike gave Erik ten Hag’s side the impotence for a short spell, in which time Kobbie Mainoo (£2.3m) scored a glorious goal to put them ahead.

Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) and company piled on the pressure late at the end of a ludicrously open affair that ultimately ended 2-2.

From a Dream Team perspective, Fernandes added another 11 points to his tally by the final whistle to continue his impressive individual form.

The 29-year-old may not be every gaffer’s cup of tea as he’s prone to acts of petulance but that doesn’t mean his output should be underestimated.

In fact, he’s technically Dream Team’s second-most in-form midfielder right now as only Cole Palmer (£4.8m) has produced more points in his last three outings.

And Fernandes’ prosperous form is far from a flash in the pan – he’s climbed the rankings at a fair lick since the turn of the year.

He started 2024 with a 12-point haul against Wigan in the FA Cup and since then he’s added another 109 points in 14 appearances.

To put it another way, Fernandes is averaging 10.1 points per Gameweek this calendar year.

This surge has propelled him up to fifth in the midfield rankings on 252 points overall.

Obviously, Man United no longer have European commitments to bolster their schedule but their fixtures appear relatively friendly.

Fernandes and company travel to Bournemouth in Gameweek 31, with the caveat that the Cherries won the reverse fixture 3-0 back in December.

Then in Gameweek 32, Man United face Coventry in the FA Cup before hosting Sheffield United in the Premier League – a favourable double header on paper.

Gameweek 33 then brings a home game against Burnley.

If Ten Hag’s men progress in the cup then their lack of European fixtures will be somewhat negated.

Fernandes has ten goals and ten assists to his name but those stats only tell half the story.

He’s registered 45 shots on target, the third-highest tally among assets in his position, while his total of 22 big chances created is only bettered by Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) among all players.

The Portuguese playmaker has also got through a very respectable 89 tackles.

For all the complaints about his attitude, Fernandes is consistently among Dream Team’s top midfielders, even with question marks hanging over his side’s broader tactical approach.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk