Gary Neville has suggested how Manchester United will fit all their midfielders into a starting XI, which could force Bruno Fernandes into a position he doesn't want
Bruno Fernandes is most effective through the middle, but has had to shift to accommodate certain systems
Bruno Fernandes is most effective through the middle, but has had to shift to accommodate certain systems
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Gary Neville admits that Manchester United may eventually have to adopt a three-man midfield, likely pushing Bruno Fernandes into a wider position, which "isn't ideal".
The Red Devils have won just once in their opening three Premier League games with their Portuguese playmaker already scoring three times. He remains their talisman and has thrived as the team's playmaker, having had to play from a wider role under Ruben Amorim.
Michael Carrick was able to add three new midfielders in the summer, which was seen as a must. Carlos Baleba became their most expensive signing when he joined from Brighton, following in the footsteps of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Kobbie Mainoo is also a big part of the club's future.
In a bid to fit all of the players they have into a starting XI Neville believes United will have to go from the two-man set-up they currently employ to a three-man system in midfield, which will rid of having a natural No 10.
The Sky Sports pundit said on the Big Game Preview: "The only thing I can see happening eventually is that we'll have to drop one of that front four and play three in midfield. Maybe Youri Tielemans, Carlos Beleba and Kobbie Mainoo, adding an extra midfield player.
"That means sometimes Bruno has to go to the side, which isn't ideal because I think he's better in that number ten spot. But how do we [Manchester United], without changing shape, become more solid so we don't concede every single game? Because if we carry on conceding like this, we won't be in the Champions League. We have to stop conceding goals."
United's defence has been flagged as an issue already this season with Carrick's side conceding twice in each of their three games thus far.
Carlos Baleba's £70m move was Man Utd's biggest outlay of the summer
Carlos Baleba's £70m move was Man Utd's biggest outlay of the summer(Image: Dan Mullan, Getty Images)
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The club haven't made a major investment into their back four for the last two summers and doubts persist about several of their individuals. Adding the likes of Baleba would add more protection, especially in a three-man unit.
Whilst predicting what their line-up could be ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby Neville claimed that a back four of Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez formed "Manchester United's best eleven".
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