Manchester United’s struggles in recent years have been difficult for the fans to process, especially given the success previously endured in previous generations.
The Red Devils ended last season in a record-low 15th place in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim unable to have a positive impact during his first season in the role.
As a result, the club have now failed to win a single league title since the 2012/13 season campaign, with Sir Alex Ferguson the last manager to finish top of the table.
Their inability to secure top-flight glory hasn’t been through a lack of trying, especially as seen by their spending in the transfer market, which has seen over £800m spent in the last four years.
One player has remained ever-present despite the heavy spending in the market, arguably still being Amorim’s key man in the club’s hunt for sustained success.
The stats behind Bruno’s success in 2025/26
Bruno Fernandes is a player who has constantly impressed during his near six-year spell at United, with the midfielder being the shining light throughout last campaign.
Despite the struggles, the Portuguese international notched a total of 37 combined goals and assists, which no doubt saved the club from a relegation battle.
In 2025/26, the 31-year-old has been forced to operate in a deeper midfield role, but it hasn’t stopped the fan-favourite from producing some incredible numbers in the Premier League.
Bruno has created 3.1 chances per 90 in England’s top-flight to date, with such a tally higher than any other player in the division after the first 15 games of the season.
He’s also registered 2.8 shots per 90 and made 6.1 recoveries per 90, highlighting his efforts at both ends – subsequently placing him in the top 10% of midfielders in the league.
United’s latest showing against Wolves further showcases how impressive he’s been in 2025/26, with the club captain notching two goals and an assist in the 4-1 triumph.
Bruno also completed 55 passes, whilst creating five chances for his teammates, with both of the aforementioned tallies the highest of any player on the pitch at Molineux.
The United star who’s showing shades of Park
Ji-Sung Park was just one player who was a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad over a sustained period, with the South Korean star a massively underrated player at Old Trafford.
During his seven years in Manchester, the midfielder racked up a total of 205 appearances in all competitions, often featuring in a variety of different positions.
He often started out wide, in the number ten or even a number eight position, often handing Ferguson a versatile option across numerous key areas of the pitch.
Park registered 55 combined goals and assists during such a time, with his best strike arguably being against Wolves at Old Trafford back in the 2010/11 campaign.
During his time managing Park, Sir Alex often paid the South Korean countless compliments, even once labelling him as the “ultimate professional” due to his attitude and reliability.
However, since his departure in 2012, the club have lacked a player of his stature, but Amorim does currently have a similar player in the form of Mason Mount.
The Englishman has struggled to nail down his place in the United first-team since his £60m move from Chelsea in 2023, with injuries often plaguing the 26-year-old.
However, the 2025/26 season has given him a new lease of life, with the midfielder already racking up 12 Premier League appearances this season and catching the eye with his displays.
He’s already netted three goals to date, including one against Wolves on Monday, subsequently repaying the faith shown in him by Amorim in recent months.
Like Park, he’s often featured in countless positions at Old Trafford, including a number eight role and a number ten – with the midfielder now looking like a crucial part of the squad.
Amorim has also sung his praises in recent times, dubbing him a “proper footballer” and saying that he “believes in him a lot” – highlighting the faith he has in the Englishman to succeed.
His recent showing against Wolves, in which he scored, has showcased why he’s as important as Bruno, with Mount completing 90% of the passes he attempted at Molineux.
He also completed 100% of the long balls he attempted, whilst also making five recoveries and being fouled three times – often providing a constant nuisance to the opposition.
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Mason Mount – stats against Wolves
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Statistics
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Tally
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Minutes played
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85
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Touches
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46
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Pass accuracy
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90%
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Long balls completed
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100%
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Goals scored
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1
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Recoveries made
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5
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Fouls won
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3
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Touches in opposition box
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2
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Stats via FotMob
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Mount’s ability in front of goal over recent weeks has certainly given the manager food for thought, which could see the former Chelsea star now be a key member of the side once again.
He and Bruno have clearly struck up a superb partnership at the heart of the side, which could be crucial in any success achieved during the Amorim tenure.
Mount’s similarities to Park are there for all to see, with the midfielder now having the chance to back up the manager’s faith, just as the South Korean did at Old Trafford in years gone by.
100% pass success & 100% duels won: Man Utd star is as undroppable as Bruno
Manchester United have unearthed another star after yesterday’s win over Wolves at Molineux.
By
Ethan Lamb
3 days ago