His drop off in form since the start of the year has been quite concerning really. Still question whether Ronaldo being there pushes him into his shell a bit, like it does for Portugal.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 46
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 13
- Yellow cards
- 10
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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I completely agree.
Yesterday we looked like a team of individuals who didn't know their role.
Liverpool looked like a well-drilled disciplined team who knew exactly what they were doing.
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He does what the manager asks him to do clearly. If he plays like a CF, and plays pretty much every minute available to him, it's pretty much because Ole is asking him to play as one and not play deeper. I don't get criticisms of him "refusing to play deeper". Hell I saw an article recently that claimed Bruno asked Ole to play him deeper so he could help the midfield out.
Of course. Individuals can't be blamed for such things. Teams are a reflection of their mangers tactics or should be if the manager is competent.
Yep. And if Ole wanted Fernandes to be more like a midfielder, he would sub him off or bench him when he refused to play like one and just play Pogba in his place (not like there isn't a potentially world class creative midfielder waiting for the chance). Instead, Bruno plays literally every possible minute. He's being asked go push up as a forward, pretty clearly IMO.
True. Might get the best out of both with some healthy competition. It's interesting, now people are talking about Bruno playing too far forward leaving whoever plays in midfield hung out to dry a little. Not saying McFred are the answer but doesn't matter who plays in midfield, the issues are still the same.
Bruno is the Dybala after Ronaldo's arrival. Bruno goes from scoring 43 goals in 83 games for United to 1 goal in 10 games. Dybala went from 26 goals in 46 games to 10 goals in 42 games in Ronaldo's first season at Juventus.
I feel sorry for him, but if you take away his goal threat, is his general play good enough to be a nailed-on starter in the same team as Ronaldo? I think he's poor positionally relative to other midfielders, and gives the ball away an awful lot - often leads to great passes - but there are too many players taking that risk and some of them have to be dropped.
It's one of the many big questions that has to be answered if this is going to be turned around.
I feel sorry for him, but if you take away his goal threat, is his general play good enough to be a nailed-on starter in the same team as Ronaldo? I think he's poor positionally relative to other midfielders, and gives the ball away an awful lot - often leads to great passes - but there are too many players taking that risk and some of them have to be dropped.
It's one of the many big questions that has to be answered if this is going to be turned around.
He's had to accommodate Ronaldo, like everyone else, and adjusted his game. He hasn't quite been at his usual level so far this season. Let's hope it's a blip.
Being one of the biggest chance creators in the league tends to be quite useful.
Great player, really puts a shift in for the team and very comfortable on the ball. Set-piece specialist.
Remember when United fans use to take the pee out of Liverpool and Gerrard for constantly trying to attempt the Hollywood ball when United was winning everything in 2007-2009.. well that's what we have with Fernandes now and it's frustrating.. Recycling possession and keeping the ball is much better percentages of winning games as Pep and City have proven.
Also will someone please tell him to stay in midfield and not think he's a striker? We need him to help out the midfield not become a second striker.
a lot of United and non-United fans reckon he wouldn't start in well-drilled and disciplined Conte team and they are probably right that he would be too frustrating for Conte. Whether Donny or Lingard playing instead will make us a better team and winning more games who knows. Nobody is denying Fernande is the better player than Donny and Lingard but sometimes you play the best team not necessarily the best players like Liverpool do there midfield 3 are very workmanlike (no glamour or sexy footballers) but keep it simple and pass it to Liverpool's front 3 to win the game which works 9/10. Time will tell.
Also will someone please tell him to stay in midfield and not think he's a striker? We need him to help out the midfield not become a second striker.
a lot of United and non-United fans reckon he wouldn't start in well-drilled and disciplined Conte team and they are probably right that he would be too frustrating for Conte. Whether Donny or Lingard playing instead will make us a better team and winning more games who knows. Nobody is denying Fernande is the better player than Donny and Lingard but sometimes you play the best team not necessarily the best players like Liverpool do there midfield 3 are very workmanlike (no glamour or sexy footballers) but keep it simple and pass it to Liverpool's front 3 to win the game which works 9/10. Time will tell.
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Matt Ritchie
His abysmal form has somewhat gone under he radar.
Like the team his performancs of late have been terrible. The stats back it up with him scoring only one in the last nine games.
By his high standards that is quite poor, the leanest spell since his arrival i think...
Despite that cant fault him for his work-rate he runs around like crazy....dare i say it with better coaching he and his teammates would look less like a headless chickens?
Like the team his performancs of late have been terrible. The stats back it up with him scoring only one in the last nine games.
By his high standards that is quite poor, the leanest spell since his arrival i think...
Despite that cant fault him for his work-rate he runs around like crazy....dare i say it with better coaching he and his teammates would look less like a headless chickens?
Been poor for quite a while if we're honest.Hopefully just frustrated with our lack of direction under Ole and he'll be back to his undoubted best for the new manager who ever that'll be.
I'd like to see him play deeper, now we have Ronaldo up top,with two grafters along side him.
Should also be captain by the way.
I'd like to see him play deeper, now we have Ronaldo up top,with two grafters along side him.
Should also be captain by the way.
I think a lot of posters forget how absolutely devoid of attacking threat we were before he came...
However, his inclusion does mean a less disciplined midfield so maybe a Conte coming in and trying something new would be good for him, see another way playing.
Fernandes is playing badly and you want to hinder his performance with the captains armband? Guy needs to focus on his own game, like Maguire
the true leader and who should be captain of this team is Ronaldo who does it for Portugal and is a massive influence behind the scenes with his work ethic and mentality. Ronaldo is the only one in this team who is a winner and has experience winning trophies going to the top of the mountain. It's the obvious choice since he's already played for the club 6 years already. I don't know why he isn't captain already with Maguires only experience getting relegated 3 times. Fernandes hasn't won any trophies in his career so how can he tell other players especially young players what Manchester United is all about!? Plus if you see Ronaldo on the field he's vocal and not in a headless chicken sort of way.
Tottenham 0:3 Man Utd
Today was the Bruno Fernandes we need, not the one we deserve. Just as productive, but defensively entirely constructive. More of the same please.
Worked hard today and got a good assist to his name. He was off with his passing at times but more than made up for it with his defensive output.
Back to his best today, not just the pass but he also looked more disciplined to his role and didn't try and feck up Ronaldo and Cavani by going much forward.
Thought he was very good today.
Absolute quality ball for Ronaldo's goal, won the ball back to kickstart Cavani's goal and generally got through a shitload of work throughout the game.
Absolute quality ball for Ronaldo's goal, won the ball back to kickstart Cavani's goal and generally got through a shitload of work throughout the game.
Having been quite critical of him in the past got to say today was probably one of his best performances for me.
That’s where he needs to play. Not as a second striker, in touch with the midfield being way more disciplined. That’s where I saw him for Sporting and to me his best position.
Feel like McT and Fred both benefitted from him being in there and to be honest I think Bissaka also benefitted having him closer to him on his side of the pitch. He was still able to get forward make things happen and get in dangerous positions but that’s where he should play.
Fantastic pass for Ronaldo goal, excellent closing down for the Cavani goal and even had some great defensive moments.
That’s where he needs to play. Not as a second striker, in touch with the midfield being way more disciplined. That’s where I saw him for Sporting and to me his best position.
Feel like McT and Fred both benefitted from him being in there and to be honest I think Bissaka also benefitted having him closer to him on his side of the pitch. He was still able to get forward make things happen and get in dangerous positions but that’s where he should play.
Fantastic pass for Ronaldo goal, excellent closing down for the Cavani goal and even had some great defensive moments.
Positioning much more disciplined without stopping his productivity, excellent performance.
Don’t want to see him as a second striker again, unless there is 3 in midfield behind him.
Don’t want to see him as a second striker again, unless there is 3 in midfield behind him.
More disciplined today; the whole team looked as such actually. Again with great contribution to play and lots of passion on the pitch.
ole should not overwork him though. Lingard isn’t a bad alternative over a long season
ole should not overwork him though. Lingard isn’t a bad alternative over a long season
I'd say Donny is another, and (arguably) a better option.
Thought it was funny when Neville was burying him on commentary for not being as good since Ronaldo came back, then in the middle of his speech they flash up a graphic showing that he's creating twice as many chances per 90 now vs before Ronaldo arrived.
It was bizarrely ill informed.Thought it was funny when Neville was burying him on commentary for not being as good since Ronaldo came back, then in the middle of his speech they flash up a graphic showing that he's creating twice as many chances per 90 now vs before Ronaldo arrived.
This lot have an entire research department behind them and they still come out with rubbish.
Middle of the road performance by Bruno's standards, nothing bad, just not as dangerous as he often is.
Fantastic today and looked far more effective with two forwards looking to get on the end of his balls.
He wasn't more disciplined, he just had more cover naturally so it's not problematic. In a 3-4-3 you can just let the front 3 be a bit more free to attack, obviously still needs shape and instructions to press but it's easier to cover up mediocre defensive displays.
I thought I'd seen it incorrectly.Thought it was funny when Neville was burying him on commentary for not being as good since Ronaldo came back, then in the middle of his speech they flash up a graphic showing that he's creating twice as many chances per 90 now vs before Ronaldo arrived.
They pretty much reduced it down to him scoring goals.
Where has this notion that he doesn't track back come from?
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.
Another bizarre statement from the Sky commentators. It's like they've never watched him before.
Thought he was good
May just have been me but I got a vibe from him when subbed off, he could barely look at ole
May just have been me but I got a vibe from him when subbed off, he could barely look at ole
He didn't want to come off. He was complaining that McTominay was on the floor injured when his number came up.
Bruno always has a few fantastic passes in his boots. The ball to Ronaldo might have been forgettable but for an astonishing finish, but it was a great ball.
Got one, could've got 2 assists and played his part in another goal. In not even one of his better games offensively.
Moaners will probably point out a few misplaced passes.
Moaners will probably point out a few misplaced passes.
He was very good today, his ups and downs were even more extreme than usual but when it's clicking with players like him, Cavani and Ronaldo, it's impossible to stop them from scoring.
He doesn't do it in an organised manner. He does it when he's nearby and fancies his chances of making a tackle, but that's not much help to somebody planning our defence.
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