One Manchester United star is reportedly ‘unhappy’ with his role in Ruben Amorim’s system, and there are two clear reasons why.
After four games, Manchester United are experiencing their poorest Premier League start since the 1992/93 campaign.
That season, the Reds rallied to claim the first of their 13 league titles, but such a revival feels highly unlikely this time around.
So far, United have picked up only four points; suffering defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, drawing with Fulham, and beating Burnley; while also crashing out of the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim’s struggles are becoming increasingly evident, with his unwavering tactics and team selections coming under heavy scrutiny.
United star ‘unhappy’ with role in Amorim’s system
Bruno Fernandes has mainly operated deeper in a midfield two in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system despite being one of the best creators in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old was used almost exclusively as a no.10 in a 4-2-3-1 before his fellow countryman’s arrival. On the odd occasion, he would play from the right flank or as a false-nine.
He has had solid performances in the deeper role – with 19 goals and the same amount of assists last season – but many believe that the club captain is limited there.
According to a new report from MailSport, Fernandes is believed to be unhappy playing in the deeper midfield role in Amorim’s system.
It was also claimed that players in the squad are still struggling to get to grips with the demands of the Portuguese coach and are losing confidence in the methods.
The report did mention that club sources believe Amorim still has the backing of the dressing room despite the poor results.
Two clear reasons for Fernandes’ unhappiness
Fernandes has never been an amazing defender. He puts the effort in and will not stop running, but his ability to follow runs or hold position have been weaknesses since he arrived at the club in 2020.
Several times so far this season we have seen Fernandes lose his runner in a deeper area and the Reds have conceded. It happened for City’s opener on the weekend.
That is one clear reason why he would be unhappy in that deeper role but the main one would be how it limits his ability to roam and influence the game.
As a no.10, Fernandes was able to drift across the pitch, find spaces and then attempt killer passes. That is much harder to do in a midfield two where you only have one other player in the middle of the park.
Fernandes cannot drift into such spaces as often because he’d be leaving someone else on their own in the middle. As a no.10, he had a midfield pivot behind him.
He can certainly perform in the position, as we have seen before, but there are clear question marks over whether it is the best role for such an impressive player.
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