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2023-24 Performances


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Beckham77

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Let's be honest for all Bruno's faults, if you were to take him out of this team, we'd have no creative threat at all and absolutely no one capable of playing passes behind the back 4.
 

M16Red

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… which I’m not massively enthused about either. Could’ve used that hefty transfer fee and heavy salary we’ve given him and moved away from these no.10s masquerading in midfield to get a central midfielder in there. A shame. We’ll get it right one day.
I've only got one direct wide forward in Garnacho, so a ten is need for control of that area - just the wish fecker would stay in the area he's meant to.
 

Borys

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… which I’m not massively enthused about either. Could’ve used that hefty transfer fee and heavy salary we’ve given him and moved away from these no.10s masquerading in midfield to get a central midfielder in there. A shame. We’ll get it right one day.
Mount suits 433 setup more than Bruno though. He's closer to a #8 and much more versatile than Bruno. It's a step in the right direction, but we'll never get there with Bruno. He forces a 4231/4222 setup.
Also pretty sure it's not going to happen under Ten Hag's regime but that is coming to an end anyway.
 

Dec9003

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I thought he was good in the first half, made decent passes that ended in chances. It’s hard to judge the midfield individually when they are instructed to launch the ball forward at every opportunity.
 

Rozay

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Saudi Arabia madness aside, there’s no one offering 100M for a spray and pray machine. Hell, I don’t even think Saudi clubs would.
Saudi clubs are buying brand names, and he has one. Also, I strongly suspect that Al Nassr would buy whoever Ronaldo wants them to.
 

mctrials23

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Bruno is a big problem. Hes a big problem because he is simultaneously our most consistently creative player and also is a huge part of the reason we can never control games. Hes the guy that will win you games on his own and his numbers on chance creation are great. You have to take those chances though because the opposition will almost certainly create chances of their own due to the amount of turnovers and the amount of possession he costs us.

When you are a manager doing well, Bruno will probably be at the heart of that. When you are a manager who is not doing well, Bruno is the guy that saves your blushes on many occasions. I don't think any other truly top team would take him because he is fundamentally kryptonite to controlling games. I don't know whether you can mitigate his downsides with the rest of your players.

I love the guy and hes been the best thing about us for years but thats also a shame because I can't see us really changing as a side until he leaves.
 

lex talionis

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Saudi clubs are buying brand names, and he has one. Also, I strongly suspect that Al Nassr would buy whoever Ronaldo wants them to.
Excellent point. After 4 seasons or whatever it's been for Bruno in the PL now, I can see him wanting a nice cash out and I can see Ronaldo wanting to bring him to Saudi Arabia.

I'm still convinced that ETH brought Mount in to replace Bruno. No other plausible explanation exists as to why we brought him in.
 

OleGunnar20

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So you think staying a countering team is the way to go?

I'm not too sure about his always available, take the dummy today, he was available but left the ball and this was the second time in as many games.

Still fuming about the last one before this game.
I think he's good enough to work in a more possession based team, though for sure he'd have to change his game a little. Who knows really, but id have him a long way down the 'To Go' list thats for sure.
 

TsuWave

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Saudi clubs are buying brand names, and he has one. Also, I strongly suspect that Al Nassr would buy whoever Ronaldo wants them to.
They are and they probably would - still not convinced they’d throw 100M at Bruno Fernandes, which was my point of contention. Now that I think about it - not even sure he has a “brand name”.
 

mctrials23

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I think he's good enough to work in a more possession based team, though for sure he'd have to change his game a little. Who knows really, but id have him a long way down the 'To Go' list thats for sure.
I don't think he can. I don't think he can temper that desire to always play that pass that will either lose possession or create a chance. I don't think he knows when to stick and when to twist.
 

Ballache

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Let's be honest for all Bruno's faults, if you were to take him out of this team, we'd have no creative threat at all and absolutely no one capable of playing passes behind the back 4.
Says more about the team than Bruno TBF.
If we get a bid this summer we should get rid and buy actual midfielders.
 

RuudTom83

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IF Bruno is scoring and assisting AND the team is winning THEN you can look past his individual flaws and just marvel at what he does well.

Problem this season is the count-attack duo of Bruno/Rashford hasn’t worked and United find themselves languished in 7th place after 21 games.

But the alternatives are not great either and are unavailable 75% of the time.
 

Woziak

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They offered €100m Euros United wanted €120m yes but the player was having none of it plus they offered him €500k per week too! He said he’s not ready for a retirement home!

There’s literally multiple articles saying this €100-120m they just want the player they don’t care how many bad passes he makes, he’ll turn up for Portugal this summer with much better players around him and hopefully we’ll sell him for €100m.

https://www.sportbible.com/football...-league-transfer-news-man-utd-595579-20231113
 
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Woziak

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Well I wasn't really counting Saudis. If true is a must sell.
Yep all over November news articles we must sell, Bruno for me is more of a priority than Rashford, get him back to. Done sort of form and as soon as Mbappe leaves PSG they’ll pay £80m for Rashford too. Both these players must be sold one this summer, one next summer to rebuild the club.
 

M16Red

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They offered €100m Euros United wanted €120m yes but the player was having none of it plus they offered him €500k per week too! He said he’s not ready for a retirement home!

There’s literally multiple articles saying this €100-120m they just want the player they don’t care how many bad passes he makes, he’ll turn up for Portugal this summer with much better players around him and hopefully we’ll sell him for €100m.

https://www.sportbible.com/football...-league-transfer-news-man-utd-595579-20231113
It just says plotting or set to?

I'm plotting to pull margot robbie and set to win the lottery..
 

dubplate warrior

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So so wasteful. For a team that is as useless as ours for getting the ball,once we have it play a simple ball and retain it. But nope, more often than not bruno tries the Hollywood pass and boom ball gone again...and next time he gets it,keep it simple, nope he will try a harder pass cause he gave it away the last time. I like bruno,he'd probably be grand in a more solid team and structure. But in this Weak team as captain just retain it at times please. Wait for the pass rather than force it. Anyways maybe next season will be better.
No solid team would want him because he is detrimental to your structure.
 

NZT-One

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You don't think there were any other problems?

But in anycase Bruno was poor today.

I don't get what's going on. There's no way Bruno is playing like that against the managers wishes. ETH must be asking for the ball to be played early. Problem is that's already Bruno's natural inclination. It needs holding back a bit not encouraging further.
This crossed my mind today as well. I mean, I've seen Eriksen part-time Bruno-fication but today even Mainoo attempted such passes. Definitely not a good outlook. But I just wrap my head around that ETH wants them to do all the fecking time?!


He doesn’t have the ability to either. Not in the face of a press like Spurs’ today. He is the extremely strange case of a #10 that is not known for being comfortable in possession. In all my time watching football, that’s almost been the whole point of them. They were always the most talented players and the ones who could take it and keep it under all pressures. Instead Bruno is like someone deciding to play Leighton Baines at
#10 or something.

To me he’s the biggest mistake we’ve made in the market for a long time. Not because he’s the least talented footballer we’ve signed, but because he’s the sand we’ve decided to build on and the opportunity cost of that has been too big. I think if we had gotten a different TYPE of player back in 2020 there’s a very good chance that this team goes in a totally different direction. Even of that player himself was eventually sold and upgraded by now in terms of quality, it would have been a far more beneficial signing if it had meant our team was built on different principles. This nonsense that we’re turning out every week is so clearly and obviously not going to take us anywhere. Let’s scrap it and become a team that can pass and move the ball under pressure. Because until we do, we can forget it.
I see your point but I think, it isn't just him. I think, it is more a combination of multiple things - first Ole taking over bringing in a vertical approach and doubling down on it, 2nd the development of Rashford into this Ronaldo'esque figure (in his own mind) who seems completely fine with being only useful when played to run in behind and third Oles approach with "play the ball forward as fast as possible". We weren't a good team before this time - it started with LVG bringing in a new (new for us system) but wasn't able to implement it in a functional way (possession without penetration), then we brought in Mourinho who, even at his best, was known for being a genius in terms of killing the opponents plan instead of coming up with a great plan on his own (no judgement, but we lost more time to implement a system and more collective approach like more and more teams did at the time). Then Ole came in and sealed the deal with that, playing 2000s football which was - in hindsight unfortunately - pretty functional at first. It made use of the inform-players we had and our opponents were still mostly used to not having to take us seriously in terms of Counter ability.

I'd say the club also did a few steps in the right direction, trying to take away a bit of the weight that was and is on Brunos shoulders as the sole capable creator in the team. What happened to Sancho, Greenwood and to a degree Antony is a bit of a mess. The odds that all of them seemed to fade away with no effect couldn't have been big.

I firmly behind you - we have to move away from the kind of football we play right now but I also think it is a hell of a job for a manager trying to balance stable results with moving to better football. You really need some stones to put Bruno with his numbers on the bench. Same for Rashford to a degree. But yes, it needs to be done. I hoped ETH would be the one but apparently, he placed his faith on those two guys and will most likely have to pay the price for it.

I honestly can't stand watching this guy play for us, I can't wait till he's gone. We've had far worse players but everyone knew they were bad, this guy's biggest trick is to make you think his moments are worth it which only keeps us in a state of Brunoball. He's even conned his way to being our captain.
I think, it took the game like 40 seconds or so until he waved his arms at Evans or Dalot the first time today. I actually feel sorry for him. I believe him kind of when he says that this is such an honor for him. It really is a shame that the captaincy doesn't really suit him at all.

I'll just drop this in...
;D Thats brilliant. But to be fair, it's not just Bruno. The rest of the guys don't really have good positioning as well - I guess it is based on our shitty plan to hit balls in behind. It worked against Villa and people were happy - it is a great plan and must-have weapon in the arsenal but if it is all you can do, you'll suffer.

And I am surprised that someone who has only posted in the Bruno threads in the last few days has jumped on the first two people who said something positive about him. Fancy contributing to any other thread at some point?
Are you interested in my thoughts on a specific topic or more general? You are welcome to DM me :)

And to be serious, I am not really eager to participate in debates these days. Too many agendas flowing around. I'll find more energy when finally something happens... right now there is just nothing new happening with the team. We learn the same lessons all the time - at least that is how it feels.
 
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OleGunnar20

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I don't think he can. I don't think he can temper that desire to always play that pass that will either lose possession or create a chance. I don't think he knows when to stick and when to twist.
Sure, the evidence suggests that no doubt.
 

United888

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I am massively disappointed with his decision making and inability to know his team mate's weakness and strength as a captain and senior player. The idea of playing Hollywood passing to the box is just stupid IMO because neither Hojlund and Garnacho are good in the air. What does he expect when he plays those long ball to the box? Hojlund and Garnacho to win header and score header like a prime Drogba? You have played and trained together with Hojlund and Garnacho for plenty of enough time, you should be able to identify players weakness and strength.
 

Satissh12

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He's a player who plays a high-risk high reward type of game. That does mean he gives away the ball a lot, but it also means he's likely to be involved with our goals when they do come, in some sort of capacity.

I think his type of performance is more forgivable in a team setup where the rest of the team keep the ball very well, they all do their jobs, they all close down, are tenacious, etc. When the rest of the team aren't doing that and we actually don't see a lot of the ball, it makes it seem like Bruno just needlessly and ceaselessly gives it away. We need the chance creation to come from somewhere and it's likelier to be him than it is for most of our squad.

That said, it's great when it works, but frustrating when it doesn't.
Perfectly put, there was no onus from anyone to keep the ball for any sustained period. Had we had the ball for sometime, they would have been chasing the game and that's when Bruno comes into his own. In the Newcastle vs City game, KDB put a ball across like Bruno usually does, only difference was how well that Bobb guy took it.. Our forwards don't seem to be anticipating such passes, unless its on a counter attack
 
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nihal18_red forever

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Despite the assists and whatever stats he can boast about, he's mediocre player with plenty of flaws to his game.
Runs like headless chicken leaving acres of space for opposition team.
Cant control tempo of the game.
Terrible at set-pieces (porro showed yesterday he's twice as good as this guy).
Not captain material.
Not a big game player.
Biggest moaner in the squad.
 

Rossa

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Loved how he was really giving it to the Tottenham players at one point - I think there was a foul on a United player, and he just rushed into one, not fouling him, then kicked the hell out of the ball into a Tottenham player, won the ball back and somehow managed to create an attack out of it. Never should anyone doubt his passion or workrate - and that also screamed captaincy.
 

SATA

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Used to adore him but now he just gets on my nerves. Can’t fault his effort on the pitch though as he clearly cares. There aren’t many likeable players left in this team at after Lisandro and Rasmus at this rate it is going
 

Scandi Red

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Loved how he was really giving it to the Tottenham players at one point - I think there was a foul on a United player, and he just rushed into one, not fouling him, then kicked the hell out of the ball into a Tottenham player, won the ball back and somehow managed to create an attack out of it. Never should anyone doubt his passion or workrate - and that also screamed captaincy.
True, but you're talking to deaf ears in here. Someone even called his pressing pointless or stupid, but he won the ball back high up on the pitch at least 2 or 3 times. He also played plenty of good passes that were squandered by the receiver. And that's not even mentioning the critical part he played in the first goal.

Say what you want about the pass completion rate (which is mostly down to lots of failed crosses and corners), but without Bruno we lose that game.
 

Lyng

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True, but you're talking to deaf ears in here. Someone even called his pressing pointless or stupid, but he won the ball back high up on the pitch at least 2 or 3 times. He also played plenty of good passes that were squandered by the receiver. And that's not even mentioning the critical part he played in the first goal.

Say what you want about the pass completion rate (which is mostly down to lots of failed crosses and corners), but without Bruno we lose that game.
I do agree he had an overall good game. But for me he was mostly to blame for Bentacours goal. He was closest to him the whole run and instead of simply running in and blocking he moved away and just stood on the line covering nobody.
 

Scandi Red

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I do agree he had an overall good game. But for me he was mostly to blame for Bentacours goal. He was closest to him the whole run and instead of simply running in and blocking he moved away and just stood on the line covering nobody.
I've mostly seen people blame Mainoo and Evans for that goal, but in any case I don't like to play the blame game in such collective failures. We seem to concede those goals every game and it's infuriating. Every team (even City) that play a high line will be faced with such attacks multiple times per game because of their high line, but to them it's not really considered a risk because they know that the odds are in their favor as long as they outnumber the attackers. For us it's a different story of course. Every attack is a threat.
 

Lyng

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I've mostly seen people blame Mainoo and Evans for that goal, but in any case I don't like to play the blame game in such collective failures. We seem to concede those goals every game and it's infuriating. Every team (even City) that play a high line will be faced with such attacks multiple times per game because of their high line, but to them it's not really considered a risk because they know that the odds are in their favor as long as they outnumber the attackers. For us it's a different story of course. Every attack is a threat.
I think blaming Mainoo is harsh given how alone he was for much of the game.
I was frustrated with Bruno for that situation, but like I said he has a good game overall and he wasnt the reason we where getting dominated by Spurs.
 

Jeppers7

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Pass completion

Bruno 71%
Odegaard 85.1%

Bruno attempted medium/long passes

Medium completion % 75.4 505 (127) total giveaways.

Long completion 49% 309 long passes made (156) total giveaways long/medium passes (283)

Odegaard attempted medium/long passes

medium 88% 335 (44) att long 62.2% att 75 (45) Total giveaways medium/long passes medium (89)

Attempted medium passes per 90
Bruno 19.42
Odegaard 14.56

Attempted long passes per 90
Bruno 11.88
Odegaard 3.26

Giveaways from M/L passes per 90
Bruno 10.88 (283 total)
Odegaard 3.86 (89 total)

Of course non of this has an impact on team performance.
 

Pogue Mahone

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I've mostly seen people blame Mainoo and Evans for that goal, but in any case I don't like to play the blame game in such collective failures. We seem to concede those goals every game and it's infuriating. Every team (even City) that play a high line will be faced with such attacks multiple times per game because of their high line, but to them it's not really considered a risk because they know that the odds are in their favor as long as they outnumber the attackers. For us it's a different story of course. Every attack is a threat.
The MOTD pundits blamed Eriksen, who ran off Bentacur to press the ball and was left trailing a long way behind him when he ran up the pitch. To me the biggest problem was a lack of communication. Eriksen could have handed him over to Bruno, who also could have let Mainoo know when Bentacur ran right behind him. And Onana or any one of our centre backs should have been roaring their heads off to make sure that someone tracked the run. It was poor communication and organisation all round. A recurring theme for us when midfield runners enter our box.
 

gajender

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Pass completion

Bruno 71%
Odegaard 85.1%

Bruno attempted medium/long passes

Medium completion % 75.4 505 (127) total giveaways.

Long completion 49% 309 long passes made (156) total giveaways long/medium passes (283)

Odegaard attempted medium/long passes

medium 88% 335 (44) att long 62.2% att 75 (45) Total giveaways medium/long passes medium (89)

Attempted medium passes per 90
Bruno 19.42
Odegaard 14.56

Attempted long passes per 90
Bruno 11.88
Odegaard 3.26

Giveaways from M/L passes per 90
Bruno 10.88 (283 total)
Odegaard 3.86 (89 total)

Of course non of this has an impact on team performance.
Take a break mate you have made your point most realise what big Issue Bruno is for United barring few .
 

Rossa

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True, but you're talking to deaf ears in here. Someone even called his pressing pointless or stupid, but he won the ball back high up on the pitch at least 2 or 3 times. He also played plenty of good passes that were squandered by the receiver. And that's not even mentioning the critical part he played in the first goal.

Say what you want about the pass completion rate (which is mostly down to lots of failed crosses and corners), but without Bruno we lose that game.
No doubt. He's a great player, but for some obscure reason (some of) our own fans don't rate him.

His passing for the first goal was sublime. He had a similar one putting Rashford through on goal only for Rashford to squander it with a poor first touch. With a better attack, he would have plenty of assists this season.

Last season, De Bruyne had a pass completion of 80,93%
Last season, Bruno had a pass completion of 77,64%

This season, De Bryne: 75% pass completion
This season, Bruno, 78,78% pass completion

It's not like he gives the ball away by erratic passing much more than similar players. It's more that people have an agenda based criticism on him that is in no way backed by what he actually contributes or stats for that matter.
 

Scandi Red

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Blah... My curiosity got the better of me and I checked what one of the posters I got on ignore keeps spamming in here. I don't get where they get the 71% pass accuracy from. In the PL he has 77.8% according to WhoScored. For Portugal in the World Cup his average pass accuracy was 87.6%. Bruno has had a similar pass accuracy at least twice for us this season. On both occasions the team attacked well, which means that Bruno didn't have to play that many crosses or long balls.

You're a fool if you think that Bruno ideally wants to play crosses all game like he did yesterday. The circumstances of the team combined with instructions from the manager play a much bigger part than Bruno's over-confidence.
 
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