NO WONDER Bruno Fernandes is not pulling up any trees for Manchester United this season – he’s KNACKERED!
The Old Trafford skipper, 29, looked off the pace again as United slumped to the latest debacle against Galatasary that has put Erik ten Hag under increasing pressure.
But the Portuguese schemer has a huge excuse – after it emerged he played MORE football than any other senior player on the planet.
Statistics produced by the international players’ union FifPro found that Fernandes played a staggering 72 matches in the 12 months to September 15 this season.
That is a match every five days over a full year, a huge workload.
And Fernandes is also top of the list of time played, having been on the pitch for 6,666 minutes over the period.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
POWER UP
Get £40 in free Bet Builder bets when you stake £10 on football with Paddy Power
OFF THE MARK
Man Utd legend SACKED by League Two strugglers after horror spell in charge
After the astonishing stats were revealed, supporters soon took to social media to sympathise with their captain.
“He needs a rest,” declared one while another wrote: “Man, I feel so sorry for him.”
“So sad,” said another before adding: “Bruno is a machine but he's too overworked!”
While another post echoed those thoughts, saying: “My god we're overworking him, give the man some rest.”
Most read in Football
GREAT SCOTT
Alex Scott is dating Jess Glynne – & they’ve secretly been together for months
OFF THE MARK
Man Utd legend SACKED by League Two strugglers after horror spell in charge
TOON CHAOS
Newcastle and PSG fans clash in city centre as bottles and flares are thrown
2030 VISION
World Cup 2030 held across THREE continents & England could face 13k mile slog
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
And another is fearing the worst for the ex-Sporting Lisbon ace, saying: “It must have an impact on his body short term and long term. “He’s at risk of developing a serious injury soon.”
However, despite the physical toll on his body, one supporter believes that it is impossible to give him a breather at the moment.
They said: “Can’t be benched.. he’s absolutely the best player in that position both country and club.”
Tiredness could also be a factor in 25-year-old Marcus Rashford, with the United forward the lone Englishman in the top 15 for games.
He sits in joint seventh with 67 matches under his belt.
But the list suggests there may be something special in the training regime across Manchester at the Etihad.
No fewer than four Manchester City players are in the most-played list, with Rodri – currently suspended in the Premier League for his Nottingham Forest red card – joint-third with 68 games.
Bernardo Silva is one game behind, level with Rashford, while Swiss defender Manuel Akanji has featured 66 times, alongside Argentina’s World Cup winning-striker Julian Alvarez.
Read More on The Sun
marilyn moment
Kerry Katona shows off her three stone weight loss in figure-hugging dress
Number 23?
Sue Radford sparks pregnancy rumours as she hints at 'epic surprise' for Noel
FifPro President David Aganzo said: “The intense workload remains one of the most important problems for players participating in high-level competitions.
“As the schedule continues to expand, there simply aren't enough safeguards to protect players' well-being, performance and career longevity.”
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all of the latest transfer and takeover news from Old Trafford
Source: Read Full Article