Bruno Fernandes Hits Shocking Premier League Low as Man Utd Suffers Crushing Defeat

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has now fluffed his lines from the penalty spot for the second occasion this campaign.

Following a routine stop by Brentford's Caoimhín Kelleher during Saturday's midday kickoff, Fernandes has now wasted six Premier League penalties throughout his five-and-a-half-year stint in the division. During this identical timeframe, no other player in England's elite league has squandered more than five.

Fernandes's weak strike occurred during the second period of United's disappointing 3–1 loss to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. An awkward pull by Nathan Collins on Bryan Mbeumo in the 71st minute gave the away side an opportunity to draw level following Igor Thiago's opening-half double. Nearly five minutes passed before Fernandes could approach the ball. The holdup, resulting from VAR checks and strategically-timed Brentford player changes, clearly affected him as Kelleher managed to deny a shot aimed low to his left.

The ex-Liverpool shot-stopper is a formidable opponent from twelve yards—Kelleher has stopped an outstanding four of seven penalties he's encountered in his professional career—but this highlights a concerning trend for Fernandes.

During this campaign alone, the Portuguese midfielder has blown two penalties—equaling the total of all other Premier League players combined.

Since Fernandes's competition debut in February 2020, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has been off-target with a surprisingly elevated five attempts, a figure equaled by former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović while West Ham United's James Ward-Prowse, who excels far better from set pieces, has wasted four penalties.

Most Premier League Penalty Misses Since 2020

Accurate as of Sept. 28, 2025.

Who Should be Man Utd's Penalty Taker?

Fernandes had established himself as one of the league's most dependable penalty specialists following his Old Trafford switch, successfully converting 13 of his initial 14 attempts in the competition using a distinctive stuttering approach. Nevertheless, he fell prey to his own achievements. "When you execute so many penalties, you must adapt, because keepers begin analyzing you, researching your patterns," Fernandes reflected earlier this year.

"I feel more at ease performing the stutter-step and waiting for the goalkeeper to commit. I believe this approach offers greater precision," he clarified. "However, if adaptation is necessary, I modify my technique to avoid telegraphing my intentions." The adjustment hasn't succeeded. Perhaps it's time for Ruben Amorim to implement his own modification.

United's roster features two players maintaining flawless penalty conversion rates throughout their careers. Mason Mount successfully converted both attempts during his Chelsea tenure while summer addition Benjamin Šeško remains unblemished from 11 efforts. The imposing forward was notably the final outfield player to attempt a penalty during United's shootout against Grimsby Town last month, though this was attributed to cramping issues, which he overcame to score successfully.

Mbeumo was the player whose miss sealed United's embarrassing Carabao Cup elimination yet typically demonstrates exceptional reliability from the spot. Adopting the secrets of Ivan Toney's no-look approach at Brentford, the Cameroon striker has failed just once from 12 penalties outside of shootout scenarios.

Potential Man Utd Penalty Takers

Statistics via Transfermarkt. Accurate as of Sept. 28, 2025.