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11th December 2023
08:52pm GMT
Bruno Fernandes clutches his face, on the Anfield turf. (Credit: Getty)[/caption]
"Fernandes' body language today was nothing short of disgraceful. A really talented boy, he's your captain, but his body language, waving his arms, not running back, you wouldn't be happy with him in your dressing room."The United team that will take to the pitch, this Sunday, may only have three or four of the same players that started that thumping in March. Weghorst, Fred, David De Gea and subs, that day, Marcel Sabitzer and Anthony Elanga are gone. The Dutchman clearly hated a lot of what he saw. Still, he opted to make Fernandes his captain for this season. By all accounts, Fernandes is one of the most dedicated professionals at the club, impresses that work ethic on others, and a role model to many of the younger players. He cares about those around him - look at how he has taken Alejandro Garnacho under his wing, spurring him on all the time, and when he allowed the woefully out-of-touch Marcus Rashford to take, and score, a penalty against Everton. He is far too grating on referees and is not a great captain, in terms of riling up opponents, match officials, rinsing teammates, making costly fouls in bad areas of the pitch (see Galtasaray away), and that hang-dog demeanour when United fall a goal or two behind. He does give a f**k, though. It is one of his best qualities. He has an X-factor, too, that so many at United could not find if you handed them a fully charged phone and a pin drop location on Google Maps. His match-winner against Fulham showed you that. He has often come up with the goods when others have come up way, way short. He is streets ahead of so many of his teammates but his returns are diminishing. In his first 18 months at the club, he had 65 goal involvements (40 goals, 25 assists). In the two and a half seasons since, he has 63 (29 goals, 34 assists). With Fernandes in the United midfield, or as No.10, the other two in the centre need to be on it. They need to cover for him as he can be exploited when United lose possession. We have seen this already, this season (just this season, mind) against Wolves, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Bouremouth, Bayern Munich, Copenhagen (twice) and Galatasaray (twice). Watching United trying to accommodate both Fernandes and Scott McTominay in midfield has been painful to watch. It may be possible with a fully fit Casemiro, but it is not happening with turgid Sofyan Amrabat or Kobbie Mainoo - lots of potential here but still finding his way. [caption id="attachment_295019" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United speaks with Bruno Fernandes. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)[/caption]
In midfield, Scott McTominay should get another start - although his passing deficiencies were brutally set upon by Bournemouth - while Mainoo may be tasked with sitting in to screen the defence. The last man standing looks to be Amrabat, and Liverpool will be licking their lips. The Moroccan is slow. Although far from ideal, United starting Mainoo and Amrabat, with McTominay in a more advanced role could leave them better off than Fernandes being involved, especially if a rear-guard effort is involved.Heading into the next transfer window, Erik ten Hag must figure out how to use Mason Mount properly as the English midfielder has looked a bust. There is talk of Casemiro moving to the Saudi League but the club is wretchedly short of centre midfield options. Mainoo could be the longer-term answer but he will have some tougher times ahead as he gets up to speed. United look to be in between a rock and a hard place. There is so much uncertainty swirling that a permanent transfer should not be expected in January. If ten Hag had any favours left to call in, he should try get Palhinha in the door, from Fulham. The Portugal international was set for Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window but the Germans ran out of time to seal the deal. Liverpool are now said to be circling. Fernandes is a problem for United. He is often a luxury they cannot afford. Not for the first time, though, there are much, much bigger problems to be tackled first. Related links:
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