[Walters_19_MuFc]

Bit sloppy at times but as we saw, he's one of the few players in our team who can pick the pass he assisted Ronaldo for.

Actually enjoyed seeing him as a number 8 today, as opposed to a 10. Still had a bit of license to roam but more often than not, he was on that right side, which really allowed us to create those overloads out wide with AWB, who I felt was our best player in the first half.



From the defensive side of it, he was always in the three when we were out of possession, which made it hard for Spurs to play through the lines.

Will need to look after the ball more against City next week but nevertheless, a good performance from Bruno today.

 

[estel_manutd]

He played the extra pass today. He needs to do that more consistently. Also, with Cavani he doesn't need to run to the opposition box to press, which makes his overall positioning much better.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

He played as a support striker like he always does. Drifts around just behind the line of strikers, very clearly way ahead of the midfield of Fred and McTominay. It was a front 3 but him just playing as a #10 behind 2 strikers instead of 1 striker and 2 wingers. He was as much of a midfielder today as Mount tends to be for Chelsea - as in not really a midfielder. He always works hard and he did so again today. But he was part of the front 3.

He definitely wasn't a number 10 today. Yes, he did drift at times, but we played a 3 man midfield today, as opposed to a pivot, with a 10. Not only was that clear to see when watching the game, but the heat map and average positions below illustrate that, too.

 

[The United]

He will always give away the ball but with 5 defenders, I think it should be ok because we only have 2 forwards for a majority of game to pass ahead if we play that formation. Someone has to take a chance with early ball ins.

Rashford would love that.

 

[The United]

He definitely wasn't a number 10 today. Yes, he did drift at times, but we played a 3 man midfield today, as opposed to a pivot, with a 10. Not only was that clear to see when watching the game, but the heat map and average positions below illustrate that, too.

He plays in 2 with Fred behind the oldies I think. Of course Cavani dropped in while fred helped out the defense with Bruno having a free role. The starting formation is 3 3 2 2 for me.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

He plays in 2 with Fred behind the oldies I think. Of course Cavani dropped in while fred helped out the defense with Bruno having a free role. The starting formation is 3 3 2 2 for me.

Wow! It's clear to see what the system was. Regardless of system however, we looked a much more balanced side today and got a deserved win.

 

[bosnian_red]

He definitely wasn't a number 10 today. Yes, he did drift at times, but we played a 3 man midfield today, as opposed to a pivot, with a 10. Not only was that clear to see when watching the game, but the heat map and average positions below illustrate that, too.

Guess we'll see over time. Different ways to look at it. Not a #10 but had the responsibility as the right sided attacker and very similar map to Cavani. Nobody anywhere close to him in attack in the average positions, while Fred had Cavani in front (Cavani deeper than Ronaldo only due to off the ball play, on the ball they swap anyway). Anyway we'll see how it goes over time if we persist. I definitely think it's seen as a group of 3 attackers, 2 forwards/scorers and 1 creator.

 

[The United]

Wow! It's clear to see what the system was. Regardless of system however, we looked a much more balanced side today and got a deserved win.

I was kinda backing you with him not playing as 2nd striker or whatever. But, still created like a 10.

He had 2 good interceptions today for the defense too. I don't think his positioning this season is a problem. Whatever behind him is. Our defenders probably have very low morale at this moment and that contributes more than anything for our terrible results lately.

 

[united for life]

I'd say Donny is another, and (arguably) a better option.

didn’t say donny on purpose. He doesn’t seem to be in ole’s plans unfortunately

 

[Terminator]

Cavani playing ensures someone is pressing upfront and Bruno doesn't have to do it. It helps keep us in a much better shape positionally.

Edit : My biggest worry is if Cavani gets injured, who can play that role? None of our other forwards fit the profile.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

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[Shane88]

Cavani playing ensures someone is pressing upfront and Bruno doesn't have to do it. It helps keep us in a much better shape positionally.

Edit : My biggest worry is if Cavani gets injured, who can play that role? None of our other forwards fit the profile.

They could if they wanted to.

They're training with Cavani, they can learn the role from him first hand. Learn when and how to press, cut passing lanes etc. A priceless resource. They're young, have supreme fitness and are fast. They have every tool available to them to learn the role and become a multi-faceted player. They have zero excuses.

 

[dabeast]

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Yes, but this is an individual stat that hides (and causes, as below) his team’s struggles - it comes at a huge cost that is too big for our team to have to pay.

The Spurs game showed that because Bruno plays (and is allowed to play!) out of position and as a second striker, we are condemned to being only secure with 3 at the back. Playing 2 CBs would mean playing a 4-2-4, which is far too open and unconnected with huge pressure on the 6s. With 3 at the back they can be more adventurous knowing there is more help behind them. This might be a system where Pogba can play since he doesn’t have to run as much defensively ahd there is more help for when he switches off. However, the problem is that 3 at the back sacrifices our overwhelming advantage - our young talented wingers - and, worse, makes the unsuited AWB and Shaw have to provide width.

Hence, the real problem is Bruno. If he played as a traditional No 8 in a traditional 4-3-3 with a strong DM (Tchouameni for me), he and Pogba could work, our wingers could play and AWB could go back to what he does best.

 

[The United]

Yes, but this is an individual stat that hides (and causes, as below) his team’s struggles - it comes at a huge cost that is too big for our team to have to pay.

The Spurs game showed that because Bruno plays (and is allowed to play!) out of position and as a second striker, we are condemned to being only secure with 3 at the back. Playing 2 CBs would mean playing a 4-2-4, which is far too open and unconnected with huge pressure on the 6s. With 3 at the back they can be more adventurous knowing there is more help behind them. This might be a system where Pogba can play since he doesn’t have to run as much defensively ahd there is more help for when he switches off. However, the problem is that 3 at the back sacrifices our overwhelming advantage - our young talented wingers - and, worse, makes the unsuited AWB and Shaw have to provide width.

Hence, the real problem is Bruno. If he played as a traditional No 8 in a traditional 4-3-3 with a strong DM (Tchouameni for me), he and Pogba could work, our wingers could play and AWB could go back to what he does best.

Yup the whole team defensive structure is shit because Bruno plays a bit higher up in the pitch. Not mainly because the 6 players behind and 2 wide forwards can't do the job properly.

We are relying on one man for everything we do nowadays. Ronaldo of 2006-2009 had nothing on Bruno with this team.

 

[roonster09]

Yes, but this is an individual stat that hides (and causes, as below) his team’s struggles - it comes at a huge cost that is too big for our team to have to pay.

The Spurs game showed that because Bruno plays (and is allowed to play!) out of position and as a second striker, we are condemned to being only secure with 3 at the back. Playing 2 CBs would mean playing a 4-2-4, which is far too open and unconnected with huge pressure on the 6s. With 3 at the back they can be more adventurous knowing there is more help behind them. This might be a system where Pogba can play since he doesn’t have to run as much defensively ahd there is more help for when he switches off. However, the problem is that 3 at the back sacrifices our overwhelming advantage - our young talented wingers - and, worse, makes the unsuited AWB and Shaw have to provide width.

Hence, the real problem is Bruno. If he played as a traditional No 8 in a traditional 4-3-3 with a strong DM (Tchouameni for me), he and Pogba could work, our wingers could play and AWB could go back to what he does best.

Yeah the real problem is Bruno, not the shit midfield and a coach who can't set up to dominate games.

It always the team's best player who is the reason for team not winning trophies

 

[NK86]

Yeah the real problem is Bruno, not the shit midfield and a coach who can't set up to dominate games.

It always the team's best player who is the reason for team not winning trophies

You cannot make this shit up. Bruno is the problem. The guy who quite literally saved Ole from getting the sack 2 seasons back all on the back if his own brilliant performances.

 

[zenith]

It worked really well today with bruno playing a bit further behind and more on sync with the double pivot. His long and short range passing is good enough he can play as a part of a midfield 3 and not a front 2, which makes its more balanced.

Going forward, I hope that him, rashford and Sancho can form a creative pairing, with Ronaldo /cavani /greenwood as a pure finisher.

Bruno work and effort in a slightly deeper role was invaluable today. Hope we see more of it, certainly makes us better balanced as a team.

 

[roonster09]

You cannot make this shit up. Bruno is the problem. The guy who quite literally saved Ole from getting the sack 2 seasons back all on the back if his own brilliant performances.

Yeah it's always the team's best player who gets the shit instead of the poor ones.

Bruno created most chances in CL and PL but somehow he is the problem. It's not as if he luxury player either, works his socks off every game.

 

[Bash92]

Cavani playing ensures someone is pressing upfront and Bruno doesn't have to do it. It helps keep us in a much better shape positionally.

Edit : My biggest worry is if Cavani gets injured, who can play that role? None of our other forwards fit the profile.

Lingard fit the profile

 

[Bebestation]

Beautiful ball and Beautiful player.

Unbelievable.

I kind of didn't see who made that pass initially but its always kind of easy to guess who.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Always hearing some weird commentary points that his work ethic isn't great, so weird.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Cavani playing ensures someone is pressing upfront and Bruno doesn't have to do it. It helps keep us in a much better shape positionally.

Edit : My biggest worry is if Cavani gets injured, who can play that role? None of our other forwards fit the profile.

Might have to be Lingard.

 

[Berbasbullet]

An assist machine.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

You cannot make this shit up. Bruno is the problem. The guy who quite literally saved Ole from getting the sack 2 seasons back all on the back if his own brilliant performances.

You do get what people mean when they say this right? No one is saying he is crap. They are saying we make sacrifices in the team and the teams overall ability to perform by accommodating Bruno. Playing him in that second striker role causes issues through out the team.

He played as an 8 yesterday and more than that he showed far more discipline and positional awareness than he does as a 10. Hence the midfield performed and looked far more solid than it has done since Wolves last year when it was Matic Donny mata.

Now Spurs we’re crap and there will be tougher tests ahead but honestly if he played like that more often we would be a far better team in my opinion which is the actual point.

Some people just like to make up narratives though so they can have a rant when people are trying to discuss tactics.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Always hearing some weird commentary points that his work ethic isn't great, so weird.

That was super weird. Was it Nev? At times it’s really clear to see why Nev failed as a manager. At one point Bruno is in a position he can take a shot, but Bissaka is on the 18 yarder with no one in front of him and was clearly the correct option as Cavani, Ronaldo and Shaw were around the back stick. Then Nev starts giving him stick for passing the ball to Bissaka.

Then as you mentioned someone said his workrate is better than it normally is. He is often the one with the most distance covered in our games so his workrate can rarely be questioned. You could maybe say his choices are better defensively but never question his workrate.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

That was super weird. Was it Nev? At times it’s really clear to see why Nev failed as a manager. At one point Bruno is in a position he can take a shot, but Bissaka is on the 18 yarder with no one in front of him and was clearly the correct option as Cavani, Ronaldo and Shaw were around the back stick. Then Nev starts giving him stick for passing the ball to Bissaka.

Then as you mentioned someone said his workrate is better than it normally is. He is often the one with the most distance covered in our games so his workrate can rarely be questioned. You could maybe say his choices are better defensively but never question his workrate.

I think it was Martin Tyler, Neville may have also said something but it was then reiterated by Souness after the match.

 

[M Bison]

Always hearing some weird commentary points that his work ethic isn't great, so weird.

Wtf is this? I keep hearing it too, he's like a man possessed running around i always think, yet he gets this label, baffles me. I mean the stats must be available to prove this is right or wrong anyway, but agree, its a very odd statement.

 

[Tony247]

Watch this a dozen times and bask in the moment of senhor Bruno. It takes enormous amount of vision, presence of mind and accuracy to turn within a second and send that inch perfect laser guided ball to Ronaldo.
1. He had his back on ronaldo. But either ronaldo had indicated something to him earlier about his run or even better, which I think is that case, that Bruno telepathically anticipated his run.
2. He received the ball, turned 90 degree and crossed. All happened in a second. So back of his mind he must have already calculated when Ronaldo will make run, who is marking him, where exactly Ronaldo would be. Astounding skill. Simply mesmerizing.

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[elmo]

Yes, but this is an individual stat that hides (and causes, as below) his team’s struggles - it comes at a huge cost that is too big for our team to have to pay.

The Spurs game showed that because Bruno plays (and is allowed to play!) out of position and as a second striker, we are condemned to being only secure with 3 at the back. Playing 2 CBs would mean playing a 4-2-4, which is far too open and unconnected with huge pressure on the 6s. With 3 at the back they can be more adventurous knowing there is more help behind them. This might be a system where Pogba can play since he doesn’t have to run as much defensively ahd there is more help for when he switches off. However, the problem is that 3 at the back sacrifices our overwhelming advantage - our young talented wingers - and, worse, makes the unsuited AWB and Shaw have to provide width.

Hence, the real problem is Bruno. If he played as a traditional No 8 in a traditional 4-3-3 with a strong DM (Tchouameni for me), he and Pogba could work, our wingers could play and AWB could go back to what he does best.

You're the real problem with terrible posts like these

 

[mav_9me]

Yep. We should drop him. He is the problem with his 14 G+A in 16 games. And most created chances at 37, in top 5 leagues.

 

[roonster09]

Yep. We should drop him. He is the problem with his 14 G+A in 16 games. And most created chances at 37, in top 5 leagues.

Most chances created in PL, Top 5 leagues and also in CL.

Somehow few are convinced (or brainwashed) that he is the problem.

 

[NK86]

You do get what people mean when they say this right? No one is saying he is crap. They are saying we make sacrifices in the team and the teams overall ability to perform by accommodating Bruno. Playing him in that second striker role causes issues through out the team.

He played as an 8 yesterday and more than that he showed far more discipline and positional awareness than he does as a 10. Hence the midfield performed and looked far more solid than it has done since Wolves last year when it was Matic Donny mata.

Now Spurs we’re crap and there will be tougher tests ahead but honestly if he played like that more often we would be a far better team in my opinion which is the actual point.

Some people just like to make up narratives though so they can have a rant when people are trying to discuss tactics.

He is a #10. Compare him to De Bruyne and Bruno works much harder and his numbers are better than him too. So if we are discussing tactics, it is absolutely insane to say our team is unbalanced because of Bruno when the two defensive midfielders we have contribute next to nothing in attack and then Bruno gets blamed for when they are shite at even protecting our defense. Maybe we should focus on the actual problems than making up stuff to throw at perhaps our most critical outfield player currently.

 

[NK86]

Most chances created in PL, Top 5 leagues and also in CL.

Somehow few are convinced (or brainwashed) that he is the problem.

But but but... It's a tactical discussion. It's not McFred's issue that they are shite. It's Bruno as he is not a superman to defend, create and score all by himself.

 

[roonster09]

He is a #10. Compare him to De Bruyne and Bruno works much harder and his numbers are better than him too. So if we are discussing tactics, it is absolutely insane to say our team is unbalanced because of Bruno when the two defensive midfielders we have contribute next to nothing in attack and then Bruno gets blamed for when they are shite at even protecting our defense. Maybe we should focus on the actual problems than making up stuff to throw at perhaps our most critical outfield player currently.

Somehow people think it's Bruno's choice to play as 10 or he sets the team. It's weird to see him getting criticized for not controlling the game but then people always make up random shit to have a go at players.

 

[NK86]

Somehow people think it's Bruno's choice to play as 10 or he sets the team. It's weird to see him getting criticized for not controlling the game but then people always make up random shit to have a go at players.

You should never blunt your most potent players. Who else in our team (apart from Pogba who is not that prolific anyway) can play his role? So sometimes you have to give your talisman some leeway. However when you have 6 defensive minded players behind him, it's insane to say he is the issue with our defense being shite.

 

[tjb]

But but but... It's a tactical discussion. It's not McFred's issue that they are shite. It's Bruno as he is not a superman to defend, create and score all by himself.

This i what consistently happens to our best players. From Ibra, Pogba and Lukaku to Bruno and Cristiano. Despite heroics week in and week out, they always end up with the criticism too.

 

[roonster09]

You should never blunt your most potent players. Who else in our team (apart from Pogba who is not that prolific anyway) can play his role? So sometimes you have to give your talisman some leeway. However when you have 6 defensive minded players behind him, it's insane to say he is the issue with our defense being shite.

Yeah. Anyways it's not surprising to see the posts, people deny it but which moments to highlight for a player depends on whether the poster likes the player.

Bruno ranks among the best and in many the best, for attacking contribution but he gets criticism for manager preferring 4-2-3-1. Coach doesn't believe in controlling possession but Bruno gets criticism for that. It's weird.

 

[GueRed]

Performance against Spurs was better.

Hopefully his form continues to improve because he is one of our most important players. Whatever the formation...

 

[Glorio]

Cavani playing ensures someone is pressing upfront and Bruno doesn't have to do it. It helps keep us in a much better shape positionally.

Edit : My biggest worry is if Cavani gets injured, who can play that role? None of our other forwards fit the profile.

Weirdly J-Lingz



Really irritated by the suggestion that Bruno doesn't work hard off the ball by Sky and a few. Of course he does, he just does it in a nonexistent system and so it can cause more problems than it solves at times.

 

[arnie_ni]

Weirdly J-Lingz



Really irritated by the suggestion that Bruno doesn't work hard off the ball by Sky and a few. Of course he does, he just does it in a nonexistent system and so it can cause more problems than it solves at times.

Yea sourness said something on Saturday about this. Bruno problem is he runs and presses to much leaving gaping holes behind him, not that he doesn't do it ffs. Awful analysis