“I can’t believe his shocking performance palace I’m so disappointed in him, this guy literally wants to ruin the club for us, he needs to be placed on the transfer market immediately”- Man united icon Paul scholes blasts £52M inconsistent Man united star after what he did against Palace

Paul Scholes, the legendary Manchester United midfielder, didn’t hold back in his criticism following United’s disappointing performance against Crystal Palace. In a post-match discussion, Scholes expressed frustration with a particular player, urging that the star, signed for £52 million, be placed on the transfer list. His outburst came after a 0-0 draw, a result that left fans questioning the direction of the team.

United’s recent form, prior to this match, had shown signs of improvement. After a humbling 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag’s men bounced back with victories over Southampton in the Premier League and Barnsley in the EFL Cup. However, the goalless encounter with Palace highlighted the inconsistencies that have plagued the team this season, and many feel that tough decisions now need to be made, especially when it comes to team selection.

Fernandes’ Lackluster Form Continues

One of the players most under scrutiny is Bruno Fernandes. Despite being handed a long-term contract earlier in the summer, the Portuguese playmaker has struggled to find his best form this season. His performance against Crystal Palace was a microcosm of his struggles, with his display drawing particular ire from fans and pundits alike.

Fernandes, who captained the side at Selhurst Park, failed to make a meaningful impact on the game. Over the course of the 94 minutes, he lost possession 34 times—an alarming statistic that could have put United in serious danger. By comparison, Amad Diallo, the second-worst performer in terms of ball retention, only gave the ball away 19 times. This paints a picture of just how poor Fernandes’ ball handling was on the day.

Moreover, Fernandes squandered a golden chance to snatch a late win when United were awarded a free kick in the dying moments of the game. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, his delivery was easily dealt with by the Palace defense, summing up his ineffective night. His passing accuracy, too, was well below par at just 72%, the lowest of any starter on the pitch. He also missed a big chance to score, and while he did manage two key passes and won an aerial duel, those moments of quality were few and far between.

Despite these shortcomings, Fernandes stayed on the pitch for the full match, a decision that left many scratching their heads. At halftime, it was clear he was struggling, yet Ten Hag chose to substitute Christian Eriksen instead, leaving Fernandes on the field to endure what was arguably one of his most ineffective performances in a United shirt.

Time to Give Mount a Chance

One of the biggest questions surrounding the match was why Mason Mount, who had been signed from Chelsea last summer, was left on the bench for the entire game. The 25-year-old has had his share of injury problems, but with his fitness improving, many expected him to get a runout, particularly given Fernandes’ ongoing struggles. Yet, Ten Hag opted not to call upon Mount, even when it was evident that changes were needed.

With a more robust squad now available to him, Ten Hag no longer has the excuse of injuries limiting his options. Over the summer, United strengthened in key areas, and with players returning to full fitness, the manager has more flexibility in his selections. Mount is more than capable of slotting into the attacking midfield role, and it is becoming increasingly clear that he deserves a chance to show what he can do. Alternatively, pushing Christian Eriksen further forward, especially with Manuel Ugarte or Kobbie Mainoo in the deeper midfield roles, is another option that Ten Hag must consider.

Ten Hag Must Act Decisively

Dropping a captain is never an easy decision, but it is one that Ten Hag may need to make if Fernandes continues to underperform. Playing a player who is out of form not only harms the team but also puts unnecessary pressure on the individual. For the good of the squad and Fernandes himself, it may be time for Ten Hag to make a bold call and give another player a chance in the starting lineup.

United’s quest to return to the top four this season remains a challenging one, and results like the draw against Palace show that there is still a lot of work to be done. If Ten Hag is to succeed in getting his team back on track, he may need to make some tough decisions, starting with the future of Bruno Fernandes in the starting XI.