Man United breaks free from reliance on Bruno Fernandes after three years!

By defeating Newcastle United 1-0 in the 18th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, MU secured their first Premier League win in over three years without Bruno Fernandes.

Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley in the second half was the decisive moment, leading Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Newcastle in the 18th round of the 2025/26 Premier League. This goal was not only crucial on the scoreboard but also symbolized a meaningful victory for Ruben Amorim’s squad amid significant team changes. With these 3 points, the Red Devils temporarily climbed to 5th place in the Premier League standings, continuing to apply pressure in the battle for a top-four finish.

What makes this victory even more special is that it came without Bruno Fernandes, the team’s playmaker and spiritual leader for many seasons. According to statistics, this is the first time in over three years that the Red Devils have won a Premier League match without Bruno appearing in the lineup.

Since Bruno Fernandes joined Old Trafford in early 2020, Man United has often struggled whenever the Portuguese midfielder was absent. At many times, Bruno was not only the main creative force but also carried the team’s spirit, from pressing and controlling the game’s tempo to generating breakthroughs in the final third. Therefore, MU’s ability to beat Newcastle without Bruno holds much greater significance than just earning three points.

Before defeating Newcastle, the last time Man United won a Premier League match without Bruno Fernandes in the squad was on March 12, 2022, during the 2021/22 Premier League season. On that occasion, the Red Devils beat Tottenham 3-2 at Old Trafford.

That match was marked by a brilliant performance from Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an incredible hat-trick to lead Man United to victory. Bruno Fernandes was absent due to illness and was unfit to play. From that moment until the game against Newcastle, MU either drew or lost in Premier League matches Premier League where Bruno did not feature, highlighting the team’s heavy dependence on the midfielder.

According to various sources, Bruno Fernandes is likely to be sidelined for about a month due to injury. In this context, the victory over Newcastle sends a very positive signal to Ruben Amorim. Even without Bruno, Man United can control the game, maintain proper team shape, and know how to finish off opponents using alternative strategies.

More importantly, this win shows that Man United is gradually becoming less reliant on the Portuguese midfielder. Players like Dorgu, Mason Mount, and Matheus Cunha are progressively taking on responsibilities, making the Red Devils’ playstyle more varied. If this trend continues, Man United will not only survive the period without Bruno but could also become more dangerous when he returns.