Are Bruno and Rashford a problem?

Hammondo

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New CEO, New DOF, NeW Head of Recruitment, New Coach, New Captain, New Players, all this needs to be done asap, we should be doing the deal with Naigelsman next month and put in an assistant coach, that getting everything ready for Naigelsman.

I’d keep Bruno and Rashford but neither would be starting the first game of the new season, they either improve their standards from the bench or force a transfer in the January window.

That means we really do need to sign 3 Elite Attacking players, I Toney (70m), Danni Olmo(50) and M Olise or I Williams (50/42m), I’d also sell Antony and bring back Sancho if he regains some of his form.

We also need to sign a top DM like A onana from Everton , we need that level of energy next to Mainoo, I’d keep Varane, get rid of Casemiro, Lindelof and I’d make Varane captain, because he’s the sort of character that will call players out plus he’ll lead by example. We actually wouldn’t have conceded if he stayed on against Brentford. Give him a 2 year £250k per week contract with an option for 1 more year.

I’d like to see the club start with a team like this ; A Onana D Dalot R Varane, L Martinez, L Shaw, *A onana, K Mainoo, *D Olmo, *M Olise, *I Toney, A Garnaucho

With this team starting the first game in Europa League if we make that competition.
T Heaton, AWB, *J Todibo, H Maguire, *M Gutierrez, *R Barkley, M Mount, Bruno, Sancho/Amad, Hojlund, Rashford

let all the players fight for the place genuinely, let’s not have so much intensive training and then sell the following ;

V Lindelof, T Malacia, A Fernandez, Casemiro, Hanibal, F Pellistri, M Greenwood, C Eriksen, Antony, DVB

we should get £120m
And add £150-170m so a total spend of £270-290m

let Amrabat, Martial leave free up more wages.
Why would we want Naigelsman?
 

Glorio

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They need to be part of the squad (they would be quite useful in specific circumstances) rather than unmovable stones in the system.

They have too many key deficiencies to be mainstays - they're both very loose with the ball for various reasons (one being Bruno can ping a deadly pass but is erratic and quite poor and dribbling so looks to release it as soon as possible), and both have really poor decision making
 

MrBrightside1989

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Rashfords work rate is embarrassing. He doesn't sprint back or chase, gets the ball, gets tacked, ambles about. Made it easy for Brentford to attack down our left for 80 minutes.
Fernandes loses the ball too often. Could be a great player but even his shooting looks as if he doesn't believe he can score nowadays.
 

Raees

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Swap Bruno for Cole Palmer. Swap Rashford for Kvara/Mudryk/Leao/Gordon.
 

stefan92

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We could have taken Rashford and Bruno out of the team today and we'd have still conceded the amount of chances we did against Brentford. Don't get me the wrong, they were poor, and have been inconsistent for a very long time now, but the fact is, problems lie deeper than Rashford and Bruno. There's no fecking way we should be allowing Brentford to have 85 touches in our area. No disrespect but that's embarrassing!
Well... you are right. And if you replaced Rashford with someone who plays deeper and helps the defence more you would probably have defended better. Similarly for Bruno but he at least tries to work a lot for the team.
 

King7Eric

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I feel like Bruno at this point is overheated. He's criticised for some random things, but Rashford is a clear problem when it comes to off-the-ball work. Bruno just needs to be coached properly instead of having managers build around him.
Bruno is 29. I think it's a bit too late to be asking him to change the way he plays the game. Coaching isn't going to stop him playing needlessly risky passes, it's just the player he is.
 
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Bruno is 29. I think it's a bit too late to be asking him to change the way he plays the game. Coaching isn't going to stop him playing needlessly risky passes, it's just the player he is.
Nonsense.

If Pep had him for example, that would be constantly drilled out of him, he’d be subbed if he didn’t follow orders.

Clearly the manager is ok with him playing that way as he has no beef dropping Antony, Varane, Cas, falling out with Ronaldo/Sancho etc so he’s not weak, all of our current issues point to a huge problem with our tactics and management.
 
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People keep pointing to Arsenal and their success, but what Arsenal did was to ruthlessly dispose of players, big and small, who didn't fit their vision.
Bullshit.

We have no vision, or if we do, it’s one that ETH clearly feels includes these players.

Arsenal put a manager in place that believed in controlled possession based football and then were ruthless, we too should probably start with the manager innit?
 
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Part of the problem is Ten Hag not having the balls to take his captain off when he’s shite
He has plenty of balls, as he’s shown with plenty of players.
The problem is that he’s clearly ok with what many of our players are doing, else they’d be subbed or benched, as per Antony, Cas, Varane, Mount, Sancho etc etc etc.
 

King7Eric

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Nonsense.

If Pep had him for example, that would be constantly drilled out of him, he’d be subbed if he didn’t follow orders.

Clearly the manager is ok with him playing that way as he has no beef dropping Antony, Varane, Cas, falling out with Ronaldo/Sancho etc so he’s not weak, all of our current issues point to a huge problem with our tactics and management.
There are two different aspects to what you are saying here.

Firstly, yes the manager is okay with him playing those balls because due to his tactics, it's our best avenue of creating chances. This is ETH's fault as his tactical set up is shambolic both in and out of possession.

Secondly, Bruno would never be able to thrive in a Pep team because he isn't suited to that kind of game. It wasn't ETH's tactics that had him shoot from an impossible angle against Luton when we were 2-1 up with a minute or so to play. He had the ball in the corner with teammates around him and instead of keeping the ball there, he tried a cross/shot that gave the ball straight to the the opposition. That's just how he plays the game at all times.

I have been saying this since 2021, when Bruno and Rashford were the toast of the Caf, that we will never win anything with these two as our focal players. Their style of play is too erratic to develop a coherent structure around it. To compound matters, we hired a manager who set us up in a totally horrendous way, where the only way of creating chances seems to be embracing this erratic structure of play.
 
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There are two different aspects to what you are saying here.

Firstly, yes the manager is okay with him playing those balls because due to his tactics, it's our best avenue of creating chances. This is ETH's fault as his tactical set up is shambolic both in and out of possession.

Secondly, Bruno would never be able to thrive in a Pep team because he isn't suited to that kind of game. It wasn't ETH's tactics that had him shoot from an impossible angle against Luton when we were 2-1 up with a minute or so to play. He had the ball in the corner with teammates around him and instead of keeping the ball there, he tried a cross/shot that gave the ball straight to the the opposition. That's just how he plays the game at all times.
I’ve seen Pep go bananas at players for taking shots, that’s how you drill it out of them. No question a manager could be much tougher with Bruno and force him to adapt his game.
We’ve even seen games where he’s been clearly asked to do a job so we know he can, but for 95% of games he’s asked to be a maverick and plays that way.
 

King7Eric

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I’ve seen Pep go bananas at players for taking shots, that’s how you drill it out of them. No question a manager could be much tougher with Bruno and force him to adapt his game.
We’ve even seen games where he’s been clearly asked to do a job so we know he can, but for 95% of games he’s asked to be a maverick and plays that way.
I agree with what you are saying about the tactics. It is our tactical set up to play this way. But I don't think Bruno is suited to play any other way. Ideally, both him and the manager need to go. But it's unlikely we'll sell Bruno so most likely we'll be seeing him play the same next year as well for a new manager. Until the new guy finally drops him.
 

NWRed

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Rashford is definitely a problem. He offers nothing tracking back and pressing and is also not scoring or assisting. Whether this is due to ongoing back problems, mental issues or a combination of both we can only speculate but he can't continue to command a first team spot with his current performances.

Bruno has had problems at this point in the season before due to being overplayed. He's never injured but he's only human and needs a rest both physically and mentally but the squad is so shallow he never has the chance to get one.
 

Telsim

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Bullshit.

We have no vision, or if we do, it’s one that ETH clearly feels includes these players.

Arsenal put a manager in place that believed in controlled possession based football and then were ruthless, we too should probably start with the manager innit?
All need to go. Manager and players. Fernandes and Rashford have both been here for many years and have nothing but failure to show for it. Clear to anyone with eyes they are not fit for what is required at the very top. Same for this manager. None of them have any business being here next season, unless we are looking to solidify our place outside Top 5.
 

Woziak

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I agree with what you are saying about the tactics. It is our tactical set up to play this way. But I don't think Bruno is suited to play any other way. Ideally, both him and the manager need to go. But it's unlikely we'll sell Bruno so most likely we'll be seeing him play the same next year as well for a new manager. Until the new guy finally drops him.
This is why we need to be looking a Florian Wirtz right now, make him the face of the new era and tell Bruno he’s competing with others to get in the team.
 

stefan92

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This is why we need to be looking a Florian Wirtz right now, make him the face of the new era and tell Bruno he’s competing with others to get in the team.
Wirtz won't move this summer.
 

Wilt

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Don’t like Bruno as captain but there’s no denying he’s a talented footballer. Would definitely keep if he could adapt to playing without the captaincy.

Rashford is a real problem. Apart from not knowing if he can be arsed from one game to another, who wants a sulky player with a shit attitude milking the club for £350,000 a week?
 

Buster15

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Yes Bruno and Rashford are a problem. And a very big problem.
They are senior players in the team but are both playing badly. At least Bruno tries a bit.
But Rashford doesn't even do that. He is a total waste of space.

However, they are not THE problem.
Because the problems with this club are not down to a few players.
They run far deeper than those 2.
 
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However, they are not THE problem.
Because the problems with this club are not down to a few players.
They run far deeper than those 2.
With the current set-up…

AWB is a problem
Martinez injuries are a big problem
Same for Shaw
Lindelöf big problem
Casemiro problem
Antony problem
Maguire problem
Sancho problem
Højlund problem

Spending is a problem
Manager is a massive problem
Ffp is a problem
Boardroom is a problem

etc etc etc.

Until a manager & DoF comes in with a clear idea on how they want to play, everyone bar 1-2 players is a problem.

Trying to pin our on field problems on 1-2 players is quite frankly absurd.
 

JoaquinJoaquin

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Bruno still doesn’t even get substituted off. He needs to be moved on, but that isn’t happening anytime soon. I just hope Berrada has the cojones to come in and not be afraid of upsetting people in the club and advocate moving the likes of Bruno on. We will never win a major trophy until that happens.
 

FortunaUtd

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This is why we need to be looking a Florian Wirtz right now, make him the face of the new era and tell Bruno he’s competing with others to get in the team.
Everybody is looking at Wirtz, and we will not get him. Too unrealistic a target, even if we had the money which we will not have.
 

Pughnichi

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The fact that this is even a thread title and 15 pages long should give us the answer. Might go quiet for a game week (once in a while) but given the amount of frustration being dished out…surely there is at least some truth to the problem/question raised.
 

CallyRed

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Seems to be a competition on how many times we can say 'that was their worst performance of the season"
 

El Jefe

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The thing is your best players are supposed to lead the team to results. They are the ones that put the team on their back and are able to inspire and get more out of the lesser players.

Kane and Son did this consistently, Hazard at many points did that for Chelsea too, same with Aubameyang when he took things seriously at Arsenal and of course Bale and Suarez. Bruno and Rashford aren’t the only ones with teammates that aren’t the greatest.

The difference is now I don’t even feel like they are the ones lifting the team in difficult times. I see more from Mainoo, Garnacho, Mctominay, Maguire and Hojlund in putting the team on their back to get results. Bruno has done his fair share too but it’s mostly been off the ball work but that’s not what he’s here for.

Rashford has been the complete failure on this. Doesn’t lead or inspire anyone on the team and will probably be the first to let his head drop. He absolutely has to go.
 

LordSpud

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Just seen the clip of Redknapp after the game yesterday complaining about players just walking about and you KNOW it's aimed at Rashford. The media are onto him now.
 

mintyred

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Bruno is 29. I think it's a bit too late to be asking him to change the way he plays the game. Coaching isn't going to stop him playing needlessly risky passes, it's just the player he is.
You can be coached at any age. Even Evans said he's been learning new things under Ten Hag and he's in his late 30s. A coach can stop him playing as many risky passes but ultimately, trying creative passes shouldn't be stopped as it can win you games. But there is a time and a place.
 

Pughnichi

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Simple explanation the difference between elite and idiot.

Bernardo Silva just started running at his man. Looked in control of the ball but when it becomes apparent he isn’t progressing…he shifts his body, puts it on to his other foot and recycles the ball. City keep possession.

meanwhile, over at Utd…Rashford (in the main) just keeps on running. And in most cases, loses possession.

the difference between Bruno and Odegaard is staggering . One looks after the ball and is constantly tidy whilst still offering a threat. The other is a petulant, emotionally driven waste of a pair of underpants
 

Pscholes18

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The standard at this club has fallen dramatically when the staff and some on here see Bruno as irreplaceable. He only gets subbed when we are down five goals or we are up by two or three and the game is in hand. No matter how shite he plays he goes to the end if it's close. He is a mediocre player. I would like to think as much noise as the new regime is making, they will have the vision and bollocks to get rid. There is no way he is gone this summer, so strap in for another season of Bruno. If we want world class talent at that position who we can add and build around, then we will have to pay world class money of which they already said they won't do. A diamond in the rough it will have to be then. I think Rash is done and the club was listen to offers after the season ends.
 

gajender

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Simple explanation the difference between elite and idiot.

Bernardo Silva just started running at his man. Looked in control of the ball but when it becomes apparent he isn’t progressing…he shifts his body, puts it on to his other foot and recycles the ball. City keep possession.

meanwhile, over at Utd…Rashford (in the main) just keeps on running. And in most cases, loses possession.

the difference between Bruno and Odegaard is staggering . One looks after the ball and is constantly tidy whilst still offering a threat. The other is a petulant, emotionally driven waste of a pair of underpants
Bruno is a big problem so is Rashford but one thing I would say about Bruno is he has actually maximised his talent quite well , for me he is fairly Limited footballer most of the frustrating things he does on field stem from his limitations rather than lack of effort or understanding he simply can't help it due to his shortcomings .

Whereas Rashford it seems just doesn't want to do even basics which he is fairly capable of doing .

Both needs to be sent packing in Summer , decision needs to taken by higher ups and shouldn't be left to incoming manager .