Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty as Manchester United drew 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, but his display would have worried Ruben Amorim more than his failure from the spot
Football loving writer who spends much of his life on motorways getting to games all over the country. Passionate about football, my job and the Mirror. The Premier League is the best in the world and always believe England has a chance. Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
Bruno Fernandes struggled as Manchester United drew at Fulham
Bruno Fernandes struggled as Manchester United drew at Fulham
(Image: Getty Images)
The £206m summer spending spree might just have turned Manchester United’s best player into a big problem.
Bruno Fernandes was United’s saviour last season and the last player they needed to fix because he delivered goals, assists and made the whole team tick. But now, Fernandes looks lost in United’s new-look line-up as the game passes him by and his effectiveness has waned in Ruben Amorim’s team.
United have bought themselves a superstar front three with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. They have invested heavily and gone all-out attack. There are exciting signs with Cunha already embracing the United No. 10 shirt and looking like an exciting maverick. Mbeumo has talent, skill and vision while Sesko cost £73m and, when he is finally fit to start, has got so many qualities as a classic No. 9.
But there can be no doubt that United’s cavalier approach on the pitch and in the transfer market is having such an effect on their main man and captain.
Fernandes will clearly be expected to slot back into a deeper midfield role and, in Sunday’s draw at Fulham, he was expected to do all the running too because Casemiro’s legs cannot carry him as far as they used to.
Even worse, Casemiro always looks like he is a red card waiting to happen as he was hooked in the second half because he was on a booking.
His replacement, Manuel Ugarte, clearly has not done enough to convince United boss Amorim that he is the answer either and they just do not have that quality in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes skied his penalty over the bar at Fulham
Bruno Fernandes skied his penalty over the bar at Fulham
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Clearly, all of Fernandes’ failings were brought into sharper focus by the fact that he sent a penalty sailing over the bar and a few fingers have been pointed at the midfield for not tracking runs on Emile Smith Rowe’s equaliser.
United have a problem of their own making and to make it out of last season’s best player is, well, just typical United. Now the squad looks unbalanced - and they only have a week to fix it. They are crying out for a midfield general who arguably could make it work with Fernandes in a deeper role if that is what is needed.
Casemiro struggled in midfield at Fulham
Casemiro struggled in midfield at Fulham(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
But, like with many things, United went for broke in attack and then neglected other key but obvious areas like in midfield and with the keeper.
It is baffling as to why United did not go for someone like Joao Palhinha who joined Tottenham because he was surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich. Palhinha is on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent £26m switch. When United have spent all their dough up front, that would have been just perfect.
They are also scrambling around for a new keeper because all of their current options are not good enough.
Joao Palhinha would have been an excellent addition for United
Joao Palhinha would have been an excellent addition for United
(Image: Getty Images)
At least they have fixed their forward line and made the supporters dream. When all three are fit and ready to start together, they will take some stopping.
But it will have to be a case of them scoring one more than the opposition because, at this rate, the midfield will not offer the defence any protection and the keeper already looks exposed. Meanwhile, they are not getting the best out of their main man in Fernandes.
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