Ruben Amorim heads to bitter rivals Liverpool needing to pick Bruno Fernandes in his best position - otherwise Manchester United have no chance of a result at Anfield on Sunday
Jeremy joined the Daily Star in 2010 as Manchester football correspondent and for more than a decade has served as our Chief Sports Writer. He provides expert coverage on Manchester United and Manchester City, the Premier League as a whole, and the England football team. Jeremy has covered football, rugby and cricket World Cups, as well as Wimbledon, the golf majors and the Olympics.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes could find himself on a hiding to nothing at Anfield this weekend
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Bruno Fernandes can be forgiven for being tired. Because he has carried Manchester United on his back for longer than he will care to remember.
Since Ruben Amorim became United manager almost 12 months, no-one has made more appearances than Fernandes. And no-one has done more to try and lift his side out of the doldrums than the Portuguese midfielder.
So it will come as no surprise Fernandes faced accusations of being jaded during Portugal's 2-2 draw with Hungary in a World Cup qualifier. On a miserable night for Fernandes, he got himself booked to pick up a one game suspension and had been hauled off by the time the Hungarians managed a last-gasp equaliser.
And it's ironic that it was Dominik Szoboszlai who scored it. Because Fernandes will come up against Szoboszlai again this weekend, when United travel to bitter rivals Liverpool.
Szoboszlai is something Fernandes currently isn't. He's comfortable in the role his club manager has given him. Unlike Fernandes, who has been found badly wanting when asked to play in a deeper midfield position.
You don't have to be a genius to realise this doesn't compliment Fernandes's strengths. So why can't Amorim work it out, too?
Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Amorim
Fernandes has struggled with some of Ruben Amorim's demands
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If United are dominating a weaker side, which doesn't happen that often, let's be honest, then Fernandes wouldn't be exposed. But sending Fernandes into battle at Anfield as a holding midfielder, would be akin to sending a lamb to the slaughter.
And it doesn't matter if Amorim picks a side to win or draw at Liverpool, because neither will happen if Fernandes is deployed closer to his defence than attack.
Fernandes should be slap bang and centre of a front three, which also includes Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo.
The scenario is simple really. Play to his strengths - or suffer the consequences.
And the consequences of a thumping at Anfield, of all places, are not worth thinking about when it comes to Amorim and his immediate future.
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