The impact of Fernandes’ absence is most felt in the attack sector. As playmaker Mainly, it is the center of ball distribution and opportunity creation. Statistics show United’s average goals per game drops from 1.6 goals to 1.3 goals when Fernandes doesn’t play. This decline shows how difficult it is for United to dismantle the opponent’s defense without his playing vision.
Not only the number of goals, the intensity of attacks also decreased drastically. The average shots per match (Shots per match) fell from 14.5 to 10.7. This means United miss almost four shooting opportunities in every game without Fernandes. The lack of supply of mature balls to the front line meant that United’s strikers were often isolated.
Number Expected Goals (xG) also confirms the decline in the quality of chances created. From 1.6 xG per game, this figure drops to 1.1 xG without Fernandes. This means that the opportunities United get when Fernandes is absent tend not to be golden opportunities that have a high goal probability.
Worse still, United’s defense also looked more fragile without his leadership in action pressing from the front. United’s conceded average increased from 1.3 goals per game to 2.0 goals per game when Fernandes was absent. This shows that Fernandes is not only important in attack, but also vital in maintaining the balance of the team as a whole.
Attack & Defense Statistics
| Statistics | With Fernandes | Without Fernandes |
| Goal Average | 1,6 | 1,3 |
| Conceded Average | 1,3 | 2,0 |
| Shots per Game | 14,5 | 10,7 |
| Shot at Goal | 5,3 | 3,3 |
