The 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been a turbulent ride for Manchester United, characterised by unpredictable results that have fuelled speculation about the atmosphere within the club. Under manager Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils have oscillated between impressive victories and damaging defeats, leaving their top-five ambitions hanging in the balance.
Dressing Room Doubts Plague United's Campaign
Former Tottenham and Portugal midfielder Pedro Mendes has pointed to the team's erratic form as evidence of underlying uncertainty. United began the season with just two wins in their first six league games, before rallying with a three-match winning streak that included a notable 2-1 away victory at Liverpool. However, that momentum was shattered by a subsequent three-match winless run, featuring a shocking 1-0 home defeat to a 10-man Everton side.
A recent 2-1 win at Crystal Palace restored some confidence, but the rollercoaster nature of results persists. Speaking to BoyleSports, the 46-year-old Mendes suggested this inconsistency is symptomatic of a deeper issue. "When you think the confidence is building... and then they go away and win against Crystal Palace, which was a more difficult game than Everton at home," Mendes said. "So that's the uncertainty also that's around the United dressing room that harms their confidence."
Bruno Fernandes' Tactical Dilemma Under Amorim
A significant talking point has been the altered role of club captain Bruno Fernandes. Traditionally an attacking midfielder, the 30-year-old Portuguese star has been deployed in a deeper position within Amorim's 3-4-3 system. With forwards like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Mason Mount operating ahead of him, Fernandes has found himself further from the opposition goal.
This tactical shift has had a direct impact on his output. Fernandes, who has 100 goals in 304 games for United, has scored just twice in 13 Premier League appearances this season. Pedro Mendes, drawing on Amorim's time at Sporting CP, believes a solution must be found. "I think at Man United, you have Casemiro, you have [Manuel] Ugarte, you need someone different and Bruno can give that to the team," Mendes explained.
He added, "For sure Bruno would love to play more upfront to score more goals but then you have good players upfront... so Bruno can have more presence and more importance in the team at this stage playing that middle role." This highlights the ongoing challenge for Amorim: balancing the squad's attacking talent with getting the best from his captain and chief creator.
December: A Pivotal Month for United's Season
The importance of navigating this period successfully cannot be overstated. With United only competing in the Premier League and the FA Cup – whose third round starts next month – league performance is paramount for securing a return to the Champions League. The hectic December fixture list in English football often defines seasons, and for Amorim, it represents a critical juncture in his tenure at Old Trafford.
Despite the evident issues, Mendes retains faith in the squad's quality, backing them to secure a top-five finish. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the team can overcome the reported dressing room uncertainty and find a system that maximises the potential of key players like Bruno Fernandes.
