Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has fired a warning shot at Ruben Amorim with a piece of advice the Portuguese manager cannot afford to ignore.
He said to Sky Sports: “He (Bruno Fernandes) is the most creative player on the team, he should be playing as the No 10, there is no doubt about that.
“It is normal for a No 10 like he is to be able to do it for two or three games, to fill in when a midfielder is injured or suspended or something. But then you get a little bit bored of going back into position to defend.
“I think if you asked him to do everything then he would try to do it all, almost in that Wayne Rooney type of way as well.
“But I think with him playing in that deeper-lying area it is taking away some of the important qualities that he has further up the pitch.”
The 31-year-old has played as a number eight in all four Premier League games this campaign.
Amorim has been stubborn in his belief that Fernandes belongs deeper, freeing space for others in the two number ten roles.
However, this tactical gamble has left gaping holes that opponents are ruthlessly exploiting.
Barring the Arsenal clash, United’s midfield has looked paper-thin and alarmingly exposed.
Burnley, Fulham and most recently City have targeted the soft centre by swarming runners through midfield.
Fernandes is not positionally disciplined, with lapses directly leading to goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Phil Foden.
He has a frustrating habit of losing his runner, an issue that can be expected from a lifelong playmaker, not a defensive-minded midfielder.
Amorim wants Fernandes to develop into the new role but poor results could soon force the manager out of the job.
Scholes is one of the all-time great midfielders, and he will surely know what Fernandes is feeling right now.
The solution seems pretty simple for Amorim.
Bring Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte alongside Casemiro and move Fernandes to the number 10 spot.
The club captain is also ‘unhappy‘ about his new role, a damning sign of unrest in the dressing room.
The question is whether Amorim will listen to Scholes’ words of wisdom.
Judging by his stubborn streak, we are not holding our breath.