Gary Lineker has made a powerful assessment of Bruno Fernandes and three other key first-team Manchester United players under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.
The 65-year-old former Barcelona and England striker shared his two cents in the aftermath of Manchester United’s stunning 3-2 win over Arsenal at the weekend.
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Bruno Fernandes played his second consecutive Premier League match in the No 10 role under Michael Carrick and provided support for lone forward Bryan Mbeumo.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain picked up an assist for the third Premier League fixture running after setting up Patrick Dorgu for the defender’s wonderstrike.
Fernandes saw out the full 90 minutes of United’s sensational performance against Arsenal, with Carrick’s men securing all three Premier League points at the Emirates.
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Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United at the Molineux in 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
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Gary Lineker speaks out on Man Utd duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire amid his Bruno Fernandes point
Bruno Fernandes is not the only Manchester United player to receive high praise after Michael Carrick’s incredible start to his interim head coach reign.
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Kobbie Mainoo has climbed back into the United starting XI and the midfielder made consecutive Premier League starts in the wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
Harry Maguire missed the tail end of 2025 due to an injury before returning and impressing alongside Lisandro Martinez in the heart of the Man Utd backline.
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Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker highlighted the resurgence of Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire under Carrick after Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
“It’s funny football, isn’t it?” Lineker said.
“Because suddenly you go back to a system that perhaps suits some of the players.
“You bring back a bit of experience in Harry Maguire, you bring back one of the star players in Kobbie Mainoo and play him in there.
“You push Bruno a little bit further forward, where he’s a little bit more comfortable and can bring out his brilliance more.”
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Gary Lineker spotlights Amad Diallo amid his praise for Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes
Amad Diallo returned from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast after Ruben Amorim had been axed as Man Utd manager earlier this month.
The 23-year-old Ivorian forward had been playing as a wing-back in Amorim’s United tactical system, but interim boss Carrick has shifted him back to the right wing.
Speaking on Amad Diallo, Lineker continued: “You get Amad playing as a winger and not as a wing-back.
“And all of a sudden, it’s very strange, but things start to happen for you.”
Fernandes’ performance as a No 10 in Carrick’s first match in charge saw the Portugal midfielder assist Bryan Mbeumo in Man Utd’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
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