Manchester United legend Paul Scholes raised serious concerns about how Captain Bruno Fernandez is unfolding under manager Ruben Amorim.
The United boss plays Fernandez in a deeper role at this point, which is completely different from the strength of the midfielder.
Fernandez likes to move forward just behind the striker and is able to make creative contributions from an offensive position.
However, Amorim plays Fernandez with a double pivot in the middle. That’s why Fernandez struggled to make an impact this season.
Paul Sholes criticized the man United boss Amorim
Talking to Sky Sports, the Shoals said continuing to play Fernandez in a deeper midfield role not only does he not make full use of his talent, but could also be annoyed and disillusioned.
The concern is that if his role remains inconsistent with his natural strengths, then the creative spark that United relies on depends on.
“He’s the most creative player on the team. He’s supposed to play as No. 10. There’s no doubt about that.” The Shoals told Sky Sports.
“But he’s being asked to do something different. It’s normal for No. 10 so that you can do it in two or three games to fill out when the midfielder gets injured or stopped.
“I played both roles. As No. 10, the last thing you want to think about is to protect. Going back to the two in the middle, all of a sudden you defend what your runner is doing. That’s a completely different way of thinking.”
Fernandez is struggling to perform this season
Under Amorim’s current 3-4-2-1 system, Fernandez was forced back into more retaining or box-to-box positions, abandoning many of the offensive freedoms he enjoyed as 10th place.
Shoals argued that Fernandez’s quality player deserves further advancement, close to a striker who can fully utilize his vision, creativity and goal threat.
He suggested that doing this in some games is manageable, but asking Fernandez to regularly defend or squeeze a deeper grip on long stretches is boring and even growing.
As seen from Fernandez’s performance this season, the midfielder appears to be unhappy with his current role, which is why his output was affected.
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