Benjamin Šeško has recently revealed which of his teammates has been a crucial figure behind Manchester United’s revival.
Still early in his tenure at Manchester United, Michael Carrick has returned the feel-good factor to Old Trafford.
From beating Manchester City in the Premier League to appearances in the stands as he watches the academy sides go about their business, Carrick has been a breath of fresh air.
Despite not featuring in the derby, the new system under Carrick should be promising for summer signing Benjamin Šeško. During Rúben Amorim’s tenure, it could be argued that the player was not utilised to his full potential due to a lack of service.
However, under Darren Fletcher, the Slovenian showed the clear talent he has, bagging three goals in two games, with the amount of service being a clear difference.
Šeško raves about Fernandes
Throughout his time at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes has been the clear talisman of the side. Not only is he the team’s most creative player, but he is also one of the best goal scorers in the team.
Under Amorim, the Portuguese midfielder was forced into a deeper role with a slightly greater emphasis on his defensive work rather than his superb attacking abilities, yet he still was the side’s creative fulcrum.
However, Fernandes’s best role is as the No.10, as he has the freedom to roam and create chances for his striker and winger. His relationship with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the early years of his United career was indicative of this.
It was no surprise to see that on his return to the ten position under Fletcher, Šeško had seven shots on target and scored a brace, with Fernandes assisting him for his first.
Speaking to Arena Sports Slovenia, Šeško praised his skipper and raved about how much better of a player he feels he is with Fernandes behind him: “Playing with him as a No.10 is a wonderful thing because he’s an amazing and exceptional player.
“You realise that he makes passes that not everyone is capable of producing. I particularly enjoyed my first goal against Burnley because I knew he was the player capable of delivering the ball in that way, and in many other situations.
“So I’m happy with his move to this position and the passes it provides me,” he said.
United’s resurgence needed this
With nine assists in the Premier League, Fernandes not only has the most assists in the league, but the second most in Europe’s top five leagues behind Michael Olise.
It is clear that with him as the ten, United are a much more fluid and cohesive team. Previously in Amorim’s system, with a midfield two that included Fernandes, he was often far away from the box, meaning the primary creators were often the wing-backs.
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Furthermore, when he ventured forward, there was often space behind that the opposition capitalised on. With Fernandes as the attacking midfielder, he has the license to be aggressive with his risk-taking, knowing he has two midfielders behind him to support him should he lose the ball.
Playing in a fast counter-attacking team brings out the best in not only Fernandes but also the players he plays with. With the pace of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Patrick Dorgu against City, combined with the captain’s deadeye for the killer ball, it proved to be a match made in heaven.
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