Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes has recently been named the PFA Player of the Year but Patrice Evra claims he wants to see the playmaker change his approach
Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd were beaten in their opening game of the season
Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd were beaten in their opening game of the season
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Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has sensational claimed he "never wants to see Bruno Fernandes win Player of the Year again" as he called on the talisman to have more of an influence on his team-mates.
Fernandes has long been the leading light at Old Trafford and last year enjoyed arguably his best year to date. He broke the record for the number of assists in a season en route to being named the PFA Player of the Year.
His efforts helped haul United up to third, owing to a stunning run of form in the second part of the season. Fernandes has often taken on responsibility for the team with his individual quality winning games singlehandedly, but Evra wants to see an evolution.
The Frenchman has hailed his match-winning ability, but believes he now needs to have a greater impact on his team-mates, which would likely mean sacrificing individual awards.
Stake ambassador Patrice Evra said on his Kick Stream: "Bruno will keep winning all the personal awards, but I want him to make his teammates play better. So yes, Bruno will provide assists, score goals, all of that, but let’s stop being hypocritical. I’m asking all of Man United, does Bruno make the team play better? Does he control the game? No. But does he win you games? Yes.
"That’s more important, but now that he’s won the Player of the Year award, I don’t want to see him win it again. I want Bruno play a part of the team, to be the maestro, to control the game, to dictate the game. I know what I’m talking about."
Fernandes was unable to inspire United in their opening game as Michael Carrick's side were shocked at Hull. The Championship play-off winners stunned those from Manchester by securing a 2-0 win, which served as a reality check for the former champions.
Bruno Fernandes was recently named PFA Players' Player of the Year
Bruno Fernandes was recently named PFA Players' Player of the Year(Image: Professional Footballer's Association)
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Evra believes Fernandes needs greater help from those behind him, especially if he's playing further forward as a playmaker, and has suggested that Kobbie Mainoo should play instead of new signing Youri Tielemans. At Hull it was the former Aston Villa man who got the nod ahead of Mainoo.
“If you want Bruno to play as the number 10, then fair enough, but you need a midfielder behind him to control the tempo," said Evra. "Someone like Kobbie Mainoo. But that’s not the way we’re playing right now. Bruno, Mainoo and Baleba are our best midfield. Tielemans is too soft, I prefer Mainoo.”
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