Manchester United have quite the chaotic December to play through
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim with Bruno Fernandes during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes has been told a change needs to be made to his Man United role
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Manchester United's season has been marked by inconsistency.
The Red Devils have experienced a series of disappointing results that have increased the pressure on Ruben Amorim, but they've also celebrated victories that indicate progress under the Portuguese manager, such as their 2-1 triumph over Liverpool.
December is always a busy month in English football and can often define a club's season. Given that United are only competing in two competitions this season, with the FA Cup third round starting next month, the Premier League takes on even greater significance.
As we approach a crucial juncture in Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford, we examine some of the headlines surrounding the English powerhouse.
Uncertainty behind the scenes
Inconsistency is a term that accurately describes United's season to date. After securing just two victories in their first six league matches, the Red Devils then embarked on a three-game winning streak, which included an impressive away victory against Liverpool.
However, this was followed by a three-match winless run, featuring a humiliating 1-0 home loss to Everton, who played much of the match with only 10 men. Morale was subsequently lifted by their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, but it's the fluctuating nature of their results that leads former Tottenham Hotspur and Portugal midfielder Pedro Mendes to believe there is uncertainty within the United dressing room.
In a conversation with 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.
"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 role
Traditionally an attacking midfielder, the Red Devils' captain has been operating in a deeper role under Amorim's system, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount all positioned ahead of him.
Since his arrival, Fernandes, 30, has consistently found the net for United, scoring 100 goals in 304 appearances. However, his new position further from goal has seen his scoring rate dip, with only two league goals to his name in 13 matches this season.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates Manchester United's victory over Crystal Palace
Bruno Fernandes has only scored two league goals this season
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Mendes is convinced Fernandes is eager to operate in more advanced positions and has appealed to Amorim to devise a tactical approach that allows his star player to return to his most effective role. "When Ruben Amorim was at Sporting, with Morten Hjulmand or Manuel Ugarte before, and Pedro Goncalves was in the middle," Mendes explained.
"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."