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Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Amorim shaking hands
Bruno Fernandes' new role under Ruben Amorim could be the reason behind his lack of goals
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Inconsistency has plagued Manchester United's season so far. The Red Devils have suffered damaging results that piled the pressure on Ruben Amorim but also earned victories that signified progress under the Portuguese boss, namely their 2-1 victory at Liverpool.
The month of December is always a hectic one in English football, and it's a period that can make or break a club's season. Given United are only in two competitions this season, with the FA Cup third round commencing next month, the Premier League is of even more importance than usual.
Dressing room uncertainty
Inconsistency is one word that paints United's season so far. After earning just two wins in their first six league games, the Red Devils then enjoyed a three-match winning streak, including an impressive away win at Liverpool.
But then came a three-match run without a win, including an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat by Everton, who played much of the game with 10 men. Morale then was boosted by their 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, and it's the topsy-turvy nature of their results that leaves ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Portugal midfielder Pedro Mendes convinced uncertainty exists within the United changing room.
Speaking to BoyleSports, the 46-year-old said: "Manchester United will get back into the Champions League, but they are difficult to understand. How can you go for three, four wins in a row, playing really well, and then lose at home against Everton? You know, it's just another setback.
"When you think the confidence is building and everyone is getting up there and knows what it takes, and then they go away and win against Crystal Palace, which was a more difficult game than Everton at home.
Ruben Amorim shouting
Ruben Amorim's side got back to winning ways against Crystal Palace this past weekend
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"So that's the uncertainty also that's around the United dressing room that harms their confidence. But I honestly think that United have the quality and the players to finish top five and get in the Champions League for next year."
Bruno Fernandes change
The Red Devils skipper is traditionally an attacking midfielder but has been playing deeper in Amorim's system, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount all ahead of him.
Fernandes, 30, has been a regular scorer at United since arriving and has 100 goals in 304 games for the club. But, with his role placing him further away from the goal, his numbers have struggled, with just two league goals to his name in 13 games this season.
Mendes believes Fernandes wants to play further forward and has urged Amorim to find a solution so his talisman can get back to doing what he does best. "When Ruben Amorim was at Sporting, with Morten Hjulmand or Manuel Ugarte before, and Pedro Goncalves was in the middle," Mendes explained.
Bruno Fernandes pointing
Bruno Fernandes is playing deeper in Amorim's 3-4-3 system(Image: (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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"So, someone holding and someone just to take the ball and make the team play. I think at Man United, you have Casemiro, you have Ugarte, you need someone different and Bruno can give that to the team. For sure Bruno would love to play more upfront to score more goals but then you have good players upfront.
"You have Matheus Cunha, you have Benjamin Sesko, you have Joshua Zirkzee, you have good players upfront, so Bruno can have more presence and more importance in the team at this stage playing that middle role."
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