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Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes takes his seat on the substitute’s bench for the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Bryan Robson has dropped the biggest eye-opener of all for Bruno Fernandes in what the Manchester United captain must offer more of for Michael Carrick’s men.
All eyes are now on Saturday’s visit to Stamford Bridge and whether Bruno Fernandes will be back in the Manchester United starting XI against Chelsea.
Michael Carrick made the huge call to drop Fernandes from his starting role last week in Man Utd’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Fernandes was an unused substitute for United’s encounter with Bournemouth after he criticised Carrick’s tactics in the Red Devils’ 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.
Bryan Robson has broken down the importance of how Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd captaincy must be felt in the tactics
Bruno Fernandes has had a remarkable impact for Manchester United since his 2020 move from Sporting CP, despite his current struggles this season. The 32-year-old Man Utd captain has often been spotted trying to do as much as possible on his own rather than giving out commands to his teammates.
Fernandes has vacated his No 10 role to drop deeper to help when the Red Devils have been in trouble or attempted to stage his side’s comebacks singlehandedly, as the latter was shown in United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town in August. Bryan Robson, who is widely regarded as one of United’s best captains of all time, has provided the perfect blueprint for Fernandes now.
Speaking in a column for The Daily Mail, ‘Captain Marvel’ singled out Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Brian McClair for how his Man Utd captaincy influence was felt under Sir Alex Ferguson. Robson explained that he would instruct Brian McClair to drop deeper into the Red Devils’ defence to assist Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister if needed.
“On the pitch, predominantly, you adhere to the tactics you’ve been given but if you’re losing control of a game then work it out yourselves,” he said.
“For example, if Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister were getting overloaded, I’d sometimes ask Brian McClair to drop back into midfield to pick up my man so I could drop deeper and help the defence. When I got back into the dressing room, the gaffer would either say ‘great, now reorganise’ or I’d get the hairdryer! But that was why you were captain, to take responsibility.”
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Robson weighed up the risk of being put on blast by iconic former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson or being the captain of the sinking ship. Fernandes must show the same under Michael Carrick. United fans were more deeply disappointed by Fernandes’ post-match interview remarks and his desire to air his dirty laundry publicly.
Instead, Red Devils supporters would have been more open-minded if Fernandes took a page out of Robson’s book and demanded a pivot on the tactics for the opening stages of the second half. If Fernandes was so bothered about United’s ‘man-to-man press’ against Como, then do something about it. Say something to the other United first-team players.
It should not be down to Fernandes to press for nine other players if he feels there is an issue. United manager Carrick can only do so much from his role in the dugout, so Fernandes must roll the dice if he feels there is a need for the Red Devils to adapt on the fly.
“I always wanted to set an example by how I played, but it’s not always possible to play well and it was important, because of that team bond we built, that the other lads were equally confident in giving me a rollicking if I needed it too,” Robson added.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s not about you, it’s about Manchester United winning. Michael Carrick doesn’t need players throwing their arms in the air; he needs them to knuckle down.”
As much as Fernandes is criticised for his behaviour as Man Utd captain, it is nowhere near as frustrating as him not directing players to adapt with clear-cut instructions in the match. Just like Robson said, the “responsibility” fell on his shoulders in certain moments in the match to react and Fernandes must do the same rather than what he did after United’s performance against Como.