Bruno Fernandes wants quick improvement from his team-mates
Bruno Fernandes has warned his Manchester United team-mates that they need to up their game in order to meet Ruben Amorim’s demands... no matter the formation.
Amorim is trying to implement his ideas at United after succeeding Erik ten Hag as manager. The 39-year-old arrived from Sporting Lisbon mid-season to turn around a sinking ship and started with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Ipswich on Sunday.
As expected, he immediately switched tactics from the 4-2-3-1 favoured by Ten Hag and interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy to the 3-4-3 formation he had huge success with at Sporting. Marcus Rashford’s goal at Portman Road came from Amad’s endeavour at wingback, but United otherwise struggled for fluency in their new shape.
Amorim was very honest in the aftermath of his first game in charge, openly pointing out errors from his side. United have been busy on the training ground ahead of their Europa League game against Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday night – and Fernandes has a harsh message for the squad.
Ruben Amorim sets challenge for Marcus Rashford and prepares to change Man Utd position
"I think it could be worse for the younger players because for me, I know what the Sporting players were doing,” the United captain said. “I wasn't reading what the manager was doing there, I was watching their games.
“When I go to the national team, sometimes we play with a back-three, sometimes I play as a No.10, sometimes I play wide. You always have to move. I don't think age should be a problem, either older or younger.
“It is about carrying the most you can from the dynamics. As the manager has said, you do not need to overthink things, you just need to know you have a base and a foundation."
Ruben Amorim has laid down a new way of playing ( Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Amorim has insisted he is not completely wedded to the 3-4-3 shape and that, once they get used to his ideas, United will be able to change formation mid-game. “It is not a surprise. These are different things. I have to use the names of the players to explain the situation to you guys,” he said.
“I have explained why we had some problems in the first half. It was not a problem with the players; it was about me [and my ideas]. I believe we can play in different systems. Sometimes we defended in a 4-4-2 [vs Ipswich].
“We have to play in different systems because nowadays teams change their dynamic. I think our structure, the power of this structure, is to change formation in each game." United are 15th in the Europa League having won just one of their four matches so far before facing Bodo/Glimt. After facing the Norwegian side, Amorim’s team will play Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
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