Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has just perfectly explained why Bruno Fernandes isn’t performing at his optimum level for Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes has been a standout performer for Manchester United since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, but in recent seasons, his form has dipped.
The Portuguese star’s first few seasons were emphatic. The numbers he produced were extraordinary, but it’s no secret that he has slowed down.
Bruno Fernandes with head in his hands for Manchester United.
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Granted, it’s difficult for any player to consistently reach those heights, but what is frustrating is that Fernandes often looks like that player when he’s on international duty.
Andres Iniesta may have a theory in Bruno Fernandes struggles
Iniesta may have indirectly offered a theory for this. Speaking with The New York Times, the former Barcelona midfielder discussed his career, and in particular his time with Barcelona and Spain.
Iniesta, like Bruno, is a creative midfielder by trade. The now-41-year-old explained why he had so much success in that role throughout his career.
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He highlighted how the players around you constantly influence your game – and especially the importance of playing with the same teammates. For Iniesta, that meant Sergio Busquets and Xavi.
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He said: “Like when you live with someone else, time allows you to get to know them much better – to know their habits, their movements, what they feel comfortable with and what they don’t. It also depends a lot on the intelligence of the other people.
“Both Xavi and Sergio are among the best players there have ever been, so obviously that makes it easier to understand each other.”
Spanish training with Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
He was then asked if they made each other better.
“In every aspect,” Iniesta said. “When you make a move, and you know that person is going to give you the ball at the right moment, in the perfect place – for example, to enter the area and be able to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper – all those situations make you better.
“Beyond talking about things or not, we were very intelligent people mentally, but also visually. When you arrive young in the first team, you’re watching how Xavi moves on the pitch, how he positions himself, how he touches the ball – all those things are part of the learning process.
“It’s almost without you realising it, but you observe it every day. You learn on a daily basis, and it’s an overall improvement. Being around the best makes you improve.”
Bruno Fernandes part of a disjointed Man United midfield
At Old Trafford, Fernandes has played under several different managers, alongside countless midfield partners, and in a variety of roles – more so now than ever.
The 31-year-old is currently playing in positions under Ruben Amorim that don’t suit him, and often alongside an ageing Casemiro, an out-of-form Kobbie Mainoo, or a completely off-it Manuel Ugarte.
Compare that to even the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era, when Fernandes thrived: back then, he had support from world-class players like Paul Pogba and a now world-class Scott McTominay.
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Similarly, on international duty, Bruno gets to line up alongside Joao Neves and Ruben Neves – two masters of their craft, and it shows in Fernandes’ performances.
Quite simply, Bruno is tasked at Manchester United with doing too much. Defending, attacking, scoring, leading – it’s all too much for one player.
Iniesta further explained: “The most important thing is balance. That team and that national side didn’t just have players who were 1.70m tall and weighed 68kg. There was much more to it than that.
“You have to know what kind of player you are, where your strengths and weaknesses lie. If you’re up against a player who is 1.80m tall and strong in the air, you’ll probably try to avoid a lot of aerial challenges, or try to position yourself better, or stay further away from him to receive the ball.
“Football boils down to intelligence about what you have to do and how to do it. The defender will have other tools, another way of seeing it. You have to find a way to do what you do best.”
Bruno hasn’t dropped off in form – quite the opposite, in fact. He just needs help. And right now, he isn’t getting much at Old Trafford.