[NZT-One]

I get that, so you want a midfielder to see danger and not do anything about it... just let your team mate be 3 v 1 Maddison, Son, Spence v Dalot? Just because you dont want to look like you are leaving your position?

When will other players start taking responsibility.. if Zirkzee was RAM and Bruno consistently went out there... he should drop into Brunos position and cover him/

Its like saying... if you are playing as CB and the RB isn't there... the CB shouldn't cover because its the manager who played him in CB?

To answer the bolded, react once, then signal to the bench that there is a mismatch and how you are supposed to deal with it. No question, what Bruno did was the right thing, he saw something and reacted to it. But his reactions obviously delevoped into another issue as well. Garnacho could have changed sides, Maz could push out to support Dalot - so lets not act there was simply no alternative to Bruno leaving his space while it created damage for us throughout the first half.

3v1 is a bit dramatic isn't it.

Maddison is a central player - we had two central midfielders.

Spence is an attacking full back - we also had one to match him up.

Son is a left forward who cuts in - we have three defenders, so the RCB can deal with this.

Maddison roamed to the left same way most intelligent players will roam to use space. Son stayed out wide as Spurs either knew about the flaw in our system or reacted quite well and quickly to it.

It was pretty clear to see, particularly in the first half, that Bruno was asked to cover the right channel. Our shape was more like a 5-1-3-1 yesterday, and it was not because of a lack of discipline from Bruno, it was clearly tactical to allow Zirzkee to stay more central.

Bruno looked completely out of sorts in the first half, looked tired, but having seen the change in the second he was probably playing within himself a bit because he had this tactical setup to manage.

Covering the right channel still doesn't mean that he should vacate his original space alltogether. And even if that was intentionally, which we can assume, I agree, but don't know for sure, then JZ should have tucked in deeper centrally to close the space that Bruno vacated. But that didn't happen at all - Casemiro was isolated a lot. Thats not an issue when it happens once or twice, but it became a pattern

 

[youngrell]

Covering the right channel still doesn't mean that he should vacate his original space alltogether. And even if that was intentionally, which we can assume, I agree, but don't know for sure, then JZ should have tucked in deeper centrally to close the space that Bruno vacated. But that didn't happen at all - Casemiro was isolated a lot. Thats not an issue when it happens once or twice, but it became a pattern

Yeah, I'm not saying it didn't cause problems but it wasn't just 'Bruno wandering around' as the poster is implying. We have seen enough of Bruno being disciplined in his positioning to know he wasn't going rogue as early as the opening 15 minutes.

It seemed quite obvious, at least to me, that Casemiro was left centrally behind Garnacho - Zirkzee - Bruno with Bruno tasked with more defensively responsibility than the other two in the first half. We changed at HT and he become much more parallel to Casemiro in the second half, maybe being even deeper than Case overall.

 

[romufc]

To answer the bolded, react once, then signal to the bench that there is a mismatch and how you are supposed to deal with it. No question, what Bruno did was the right thing, he saw something and reacted to it. But his reactions obviously delevoped into another issue as well. Garnacho could have changed sides, Maz could push out to support Dalot - so lets not act there was simply no alternative to Bruno leaving his space while it created damage for us throughout the first half.

Covering the right channel still doesn't mean that he should vacate his original space alltogether. And even if that was intentionally, which we can assume, I agree, but don't know for sure, then JZ should have tucked in deeper centrally to close the space that Bruno vacated. But that didn't happen at all - Casemiro was isolated a lot. Thats not an issue when it happens once or twice, but it became a pattern

Yep, whilst Bruno was being run around, he was very poor the way he presses, he has great energy and desire but very little tackling ability. The problem with Bruno and Casemiro is they would be done with a drop of shoulder, every time.

Overall, it was a poor showing from Amorim, leaving 2 strikers upfront when defending and neither dropping back to help the midfield.

It is showing his lack of tactical understanding in the PL.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Yeah, I'm not saying it didn't cause problems but it wasn't just 'Bruno wandering around' as the poster is implying. We have seen enough of Bruno being disciplined in his positioning to know he wasn't going rogue as early as the opening 15 minutes.

It seemed quite obvious, at least to me, that Casemiro was left centrally behind Garnacho - Zirkzee - Bruno with Bruno tasked with more defensively responsibility than the other two in the first half. We changed at HT and he become much more parallel to Casemiro in the second half, maybe being even deeper than Case overall.

Yeah agreed, they were just going to Case as a single DM when we were in possession. I think Bruno could be a good squad player as a CM with some pace around him but he's really only effective in the 10 role (not the Amorim 10 but a normal 10)

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

Overall, it was a poor showing from Amorim, leaving 2 strikers upfront when defending and neither dropping back to help the midfield.

It is showing his lack of tactical understanding in the PL.

What are the odds of a highly rated manager not seeing something that obvious? Could it be that he had a plan and was perfectly aware of the trade offs?

 

[bosnian_red]

Laughable comment

Which team for instance ?

The only sides in the world who actually just wouldn't be interested in him because he doesn't fit or they just have better versions are Barca, Real Madrid, City and Arsenal. That's about it. Could argue Bayern, though there were stories that they were interested last summer and I think they'd just push Musiala wide and bench Olise or Coman to fit Bruno in as the 10.

So 4 or 5 sides around Europe he wouldn't start for. He'd be a key player for the rest. He'd thrive in a better team, with actual goalscorers, rather than putting him behind the worst set of attackers I've ever seen at this club.

 

[bosnian_red]

Feels like a pointless thing to do replying here.

But Zirkzee obviously, which you already know.

Bruno was CM - alongside Casemiro.

Spence should have been looked after by Dalot. Bruno should not have been covering the right wing position at all. But he does - cos he wanders around. Cos he's incapable of playing central midfield

He's stayed in midfield every time we had Amad play RAM. This was the first time with Bruno playing CM that he's been running way out to the right. Because clearly that was the instruction from Amorim. Our off the ball formation was:

Hojlund
Garnacho Zirkzee Bruno
Dorgu ----------Casemiro-------------Dalot
De Ligt Maguire Mazraoui
Onana
​

That was clear from the first minutes basically. It wasn't zirkzee playing as a right attacking midfielder off the ball. Whether it worked or not is a different matter, but those were clearly instructions. Bruno didn't just go rogue and decide to run wherever. Amorim isn't shy to correct things if they aren't listening.

 

[Craig Ward]

The only sides in the world who actually just wouldn't be interested in him because he doesn't fit or they just have better versions are Barca, Real Madrid, City and Arsenal. That's about it. Could argue Bayern, though there were stories that they were interested last summer and I think they'd just push Musiala wide and bench Olise or Coman to fit Bruno in as the 10.

So 4 or 5 sides around Europe he wouldn't start for. He'd be a key player for the rest. He'd thrive in a better team, with actual goalscorers, rather than putting him behind the worst set of attackers I've ever seen at this club.

I mean where do you start with this?

Musiala is light years ahead of Bruno and not a chance in hell they shift his position to accommodate Bruno.

There's more teams in the Prem yet alone going over Europe that have better options than him. Villa (I'd have Tielemans/Rogers ahead of him), Newcastle (I'd have Tonali/Bruno G ahead of him), Spurs (I;d have Maddison over him), Forest (I'd have Gibbs-White, Anderson over him), Wolves (I;d have Cunha over him), Chelsea (I'd have Palmer over him)

Key player for most teams in Europe? Have a day off

 

[bosnian_red]

I mean where do you start with this?

Musiala is light years ahead of Bruno and not a chance in hell they shift his position to accommodate Bruno.

There's more teams in the Prem yet alone going over Europe that have better options than him. Villa (I'd have Tielemans/Rogers ahead of him), Newcastle (I'd have Tonali/Bruno G ahead of him), Spurs (I;d have Maddison over him), Forest (I'd have Gibbs-White, Anderson over him), Wolves (I;d have Cunha over him), Chelsea (I'd have Palmer over him)

Key player for most teams in Europe? Have a day off

Ok. Yet he continues to top multiple charts playing for a garbage disaster team, year after year. Other world class players like De Bruyne continue to rate him as one of the best in the world. Ok.

There's no use discussing him with some people who blindly hate him and overrated every player at other clubs.

*On the Musiala point. I agree Musiala is better. I'm saying Bruno is better than their wingers and they were actually interested, so they'd just likely shift Musiala to the wing where he's also class to put Bruno as a 10 instead of playing Coman or Olise

 

[hellhunter]

I mean where do you start with this?

Musiala is light years ahead of Bruno and not a chance in hell they shift his position to accommodate Bruno.

There's more teams in the Prem yet alone going over Europe that have better options than him. Villa (I'd have Tielemans/Rogers ahead of him), Newcastle (I'd have Tonali/Bruno G ahead of him), Spurs (I;d have Maddison over him), Forest (I'd have Gibbs-White, Anderson over him), Wolves (I;d have Cunha over him), Chelsea (I'd have Palmer over him)

Key player for most teams in Europe? Have a day off

That list of players

 

[Craig Ward]

Ok. Yet he continues to top multiple charts playing for a garbage disaster team, year after year. Other world class players like De Bruyne continue to rate him as one of the best in the world. Ok.

There's no use discussing him with some people who blindly hate him and overrated every player at other clubs.

*On the Musiala point. I agree Musiala is better. I'm saying Bruno is better than their wingers and they were actually interested, so they'd just likely shift Musiala to the wing where he's also class to put Bruno as a 10 instead of playing Coman or Olise

They wouldn't put they;re best player out of position to put someone worse in his place.

Plus Olise is doing well. Just nonsense.

I don't hate Bruno - I just see what he is and refuse to hype him up to the point of pure fantasy. He's a very average central midfielder and a half decent no10. On current form, he's not in the elite bracket at all.

His form in his first season for us i'd rave about him and that version of Bruno would get in most teams. The Bruno we have now? Very much an average has been

 

[GueRed]

He's playing how I'd imagine him playing in CM...

Passing is inconsistent.

Had a stinker yesterday.

 

[Pickle85]

I mean where do you start with this?

Musiala is light years ahead of Bruno and not a chance in hell they shift his position to accommodate Bruno.

There's more teams in the Prem yet alone going over Europe that have better options than him. Villa (I'd have Tielemans/Rogers ahead of him), Newcastle (I'd have Tonali/Bruno G ahead of him), Spurs (I;d have Maddison over him), Forest (I'd have Gibbs-White, Anderson over him), Wolves (I;d have Cunha over him), Chelsea (I'd have Palmer over him)

Key player for most teams in Europe? Have a day off

This is one of the most ludicrous posts I've read in quite some time. Maddison, Tonali, Tielemans, Gibbs-White, Anderson and Rogers...fecking hell.

 

[klayton88]

Captain... Nowhere to be seen post game.

 

[NZT-One]

Ok. Yet he continues to top multiple charts playing for a garbage disaster team, year after year. Other world class players like De Bruyne continue to rate him as one of the best in the world. Ok.

There's no use discussing him with some people who blindly hate him and overrated every player at other clubs.

*On the Musiala point. I agree Musiala is better. I'm saying Bruno is better than their wingers and they were actually interested, so they'd just likely shift Musiala to the wing where he's also class to put Bruno as a 10 instead of playing Coman or Olise

Yeah it boggles the mind how the bestest chance creator in the world (lets be real here, KDB times is over) in a team that gets outdone in terms of chance creation by so many teams, most without having a "natural talent" like Bruno taking care of stuff.

And fyi - I am sure, it sounds wonderful with all the European clubs but at the end of the day, your fan fiction is just as un-provable as the notion that no other team would take him.

 

[NZT-One]

I mean where do you start with this?

Musiala is light years ahead of Bruno and not a chance in hell they shift his position to accommodate Bruno.

There's more teams in the Prem yet alone going over Europe that have better options than him. Villa (I'd have Tielemans/Rogers ahead of him), Newcastle (I'd have Tonali/Bruno G ahead of him), Spurs (I;d have Maddison over him), Forest (I'd have Gibbs-White, Anderson over him), Wolves (I;d have Cunha over him), Chelsea (I'd have Palmer over him)

Key player for most teams in Europe? Have a day off

You certainly should take a break, mate because the more posts you create in here, the more broken your credibility becomes. It's one thing to say that Bruno should be questioned just as anybody else and that some Fans might see him a little too colorful than the rest of the football world but you placing players like Tielemans and Tonali overhim is just weird. They aren't even AMs so whats the point.

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

Does anyone remember the moment when he was close to our goal line he played a 30 yard pass straight to Hojlund who couldn't control the ball. That was such a great pass honestly and if we had an average striker then we are basically 3 on 3 at midfield

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

I couldn't disagree with this more.

His first season his quality shone through - great stuff to watch. He elevated us.

He's been in serious decline for a good while now and his current level is painful to watch. His good moments used to mask the sloppy passes, now he's a bit of a liability.

His passing, decision making and all round play are sub standard. He cannot play central midfield - he's just lost there.

He won't be remembered as a great united player, he'll be remembered as the worst captain in the worst era of our history

But just look at the entire club! The whole thing is a puppet show a complete sham. Everything is going wrong behind the scenes and all of a sudden world class players can perform due to the crushing weight of negativity and responsibility.

I find it incredible you can think of him so negatively. Hiya catalogue of great moments here is extensive despite us being an absolute bag of shite. Yesterday I saw a player dragged down by the frustration of everything around him.

People think football players don't have emotions or feelings and just need to ping balls about and be perfect at all times, it's a myth.

Bruno would have been a world beater at any other top European club.

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Does anyone remember the moment when he was close to our goal line he played a 30 yard pass straight to Hojlund who couldn't control the ball. That was such a great pass honestly and if we had an average striker then we are basically 3 on 3 at midfield

This is exactly what I'm talking about, the others just can't match his levels and that's even when his levels have dipped after the club ploughing itself into the ground at light speed.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Does anyone remember the moment when he was close to our goal line he played a 30 yard pass straight to Hojlund who couldn't control the ball. That was such a great pass honestly and if we had an average striker then we are basically 3 on 3 at midfield

He’s such a great player in moments like that. The pass to play Garnacho in too.

There was one where he hit the ball and skimmed it along the ground that opened up loads of space that was class too.

 

[Musclehead]

Always try and help engage with newbies. He seems a lost cause.Bes

Again Bruno pissed me off today, but if people can't see he's our best player then they need to have a serious word with themselves

The best of the worst, so what. The reality is the guy does little. Praise him all you want it still won't win games until we get a solid leader, watching Bruno run around endlessly to the sum of nothing needs to come to an end. And yes, 30 in this league with the minutes he has played are twilight years.

 

[Musclehead]

I couldn't disagree with this more.

His first season his quality shone through - great stuff to watch. He elevated us.

He's been in serious decline for a good while now and his current level is painful to watch. His good moments used to mask the sloppy passes, now he's a bit of a liability.

His passing, decision making and all round play are sub standard. He cannot play central midfield - he's just lost there.

He won't be remembered as a great united player, he'll be remembered as the worst captain in the worst era of our history

Have to agree, not sure what his 5 supporters see in him but pretty dead on. Had a couple of decent seasons then has gone as the team has gone, spiraling down the drain. Some accept mediocrity and try to make excuses for it, however until he is gone, his recent legacy will outshine any good he did and this team will not move forward.

 

[Craig Ward]

This is one of the most ludicrous posts I've read in quite some time. Maddison, Tonali, Tielemans, Gibbs-White, Anderson and Rogers...fecking hell.

Are all currently better performing midfielders than Bruno

 

[Craig Ward]

You certainly should take a break, mate because the more posts you create in here, the more broken your credibility becomes. It's one thing to say that Bruno should be questioned just as anybody else and that some Fans might see him a little too colorful than the rest of the football world but you placing players like Tielemans and Tonali overhim is just weird. They aren't even AMs so whats the point.

Bruno plays CM for us - so I've compared him to CM's

 

[Craig Ward]

But just look at the entire club! The whole thing is a puppet show a complete sham. Everything is going wrong behind the scenes and all of a sudden world class players can perform due to the crushing weight of negativity and responsibility.

I find it incredible you can think of him so negatively. Hiya catalogue of great moments here is extensive despite us being an absolute bag of shite. Yesterday I saw a player dragged down by the frustration of everything around him.

People think football players don't have emotions or feelings and just need to ping balls about and be perfect at all times, it's a myth.

Bruno would have been a world beater at any other top European club.

Agree - the culture and morale around the club is so low and negative it is hard for any forms of positivity

My assessment of Bruno isn't based on anything but his current form and standing within the club. He's in poor form, he's a dreadful captain, he's one of the senior pro's and he acts like a baby with his moaning and body language.

Agree his catalogue of great moments here at the club is very high, but they're a few seasons ago now. His current level is not upto it and that's what we need to focus on.

Bruno would have been a world beater at any other top European club - you nailed it with this statement. Would have. Not now - he's declined too much to be considered an elite player now. You can blame the club for dragging him down or whatever - but elite level players shine through - Bruno used to stand apart and make his quality stand out - these day's he's as average as those around him. That's my issue with him. We all happily slate Casemiro and Eriksen for not being the players they once were - same sort of thing with Bruno. He WAS so good that we expect a certain level of performance because he has the ability too. But he constantly under performs. That has to be called out or are we to just accept poor performances because he was good a few years ago?

 

[Pickle85]

Are all currently better performing midfielders than Bruno.

Ok mate!

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

This was the one I was talking about

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This was the one I was talking about

If he’d let that run across him and taken it in his stride we’re 3v2.

 

[#07]

Does anyone remember the moment when he was close to our goal line he played a 30 yard pass straight to Hojlund who couldn't control the ball. That was such a great pass honestly and if we had an average striker then we are basically 3 on 3 at midfield

This was the one I was talking about

There once was a time when our striker would've knocked the ball wide on the second touch, spun and gone for the return and we'd have scored a traditional Man Utd counter...

...those were the days.

 

[lost7]

I will say this about Bruno. His injury record is absolutely phenomenal,the guy is made of steel. Never gets injured, always runs nonstop for 90 minutes. He's the most passionate player in our squad and every time I listen to his interviews I can tell he is a leader with the right mentality.

On the pitch, however, I just feel like we've seen the best of him a couple of years back and from now on it's only going to go down more. He's getting older, does not fit well in Amorim's system (he's clearly not a midfielder in a 343 and either one of the 10 positions isn't ideal for him) and most importantly he's on ridiculous wages for what we're accomplishing at this stage. Wouldn't it make a lot of sense to try to sell him at the end of the season while his value is still relatively high? I believe Amorim is the right guy for a complete rebuild, but it will take at least a couple of years for us to compete at the very top level. What do we think of this, is this a very controversial opinion?

 

[Scandi Red]

does not fit well in Amorim's system

It's too early to make a definite conclusion. Nothing about Amorim's system seem to work right now, so we might as well sell everyone then. Bruno is still our second best player this season. And with Amad looking like he will miss almost half the games I think Bruno is headed for one of the two POTY awards yet again.

he's on ridiculous wages

He really isn't. Our best post Fergie player on his (probably) last contract earning 300k is perfectly reasonable.

Rashford, Casemiro, Sancho and Mount on the other hand...

Wouldn't it make a lot of sense to try to sell him at the end of the season while his value is still relatively high?

Excluding the Saudis (I don't think Bruno would be interested): considering his potential price and wages then I could maybe see Chelsea or City having a go. But that's a big "maybe". But more importantly: why strengthen a rival?

Selling Bruno makes little sense at this stage.

 

[Cassidy]

Selling Bruno makes little sense at this stage.

He is 30, and we are targeting winning the PL in 2028 when he will be 33; I personally think we should sell him and look at buying a younger creative midfielder to build the future side around (younger doesn't not mean inexperienced, targeting someone coming into their prime at 23-26 makes sense)
He isn't the first player I would sell, though, obviously, Casemiro, Rashford, Sancho and Mount should all be sold before he is.

I also think his form has been in steady decline for a couple of years, I don't see him getting any better at this stage.

 

[Kingofwinners]

Should be a no brainer to sell him. We won’t have a chance at implementing a new style of play with his lack of positional discipline and erratic passing. We can blame strikers and others all we like but he gets huge freedom and is not creating or scoring goals this season.

Thanks for the service and good luck with your new club.

 

[M16Red]

There once was a time when our striker would've knocked the ball wide on the second touch, spun and gone for the return and we'd have scored a traditional Man Utd counter...

...those were the days.

Yep, luckily I was around to see goals like this:

 

[Scandi Red]

He is 30

Precisely. He turns 31 this summer.

Apart from goalkeepers and CF goal machines (and even then it's rare), clubs don't spend big money for 31 year olds. I don't even think Chelsea and PSG would do that now.

I just can't think of a single benefit with selling Bruno for peanuts. Not while he is one of our best and most reliable players. We don't have that luxury. If we were Real, Barca, Bayern or City it would be a different story.

 

[Cassidy]

Precisely. He turns 31 this summer.

Apart from goalkeepers and CF goal machines (and even then it's rare), clubs don't spend big money for 31 year olds. I don't even think Chelsea and PSG would do that now.

I just can't think of a single benefit with selling Bruno for peanuts. Not while he is one of our best and most reliable players. We don't have that luxury. If we were Real, Barca, Bayern or City it would be a different story.

No one said sell him for peanuts.

Being one of the best and most reliable players isn’t the endorsement you think it is. We need better, including better than him.

We don’t have the luxury of paying 300k a week to a player who has never won a league title and will not win us one. Better invest that money into a future leader and star who can reach our goals.

Exactly: we are not City, Bayern, Real we do not have the luxury of paying superstar wages to any player who does not fit the profile. Better we invest in younger hungry players with better upside

 

[romufc]

Anyone saying sell him, wont happen for various reasons.

1. He is 31 in the summer, so there is limited number of clubs who will be interested.
2. He is on 300k a week meaning, there is no suitor left in Europe.
3. I doubt Bruno goes to Saudi with a WC coming up.

I see the rationale in wanting him gone, we should get rid of every player that has outlasted 2 managers.

 

[Scandi Red]

@Cassidy

Excluding a stupid offer from the Saudis, what would you consider and good enough offer that is also realistic? And would you sell to a rival team?

That being said: it's a waste of time to discuss whether or not we should sell Bruno with someone who thinks that he isn't even good enough to win the league. Far worse players have won multiple titles, you know. Bruno isn't some cursed player that will hold a good team back.

 

[Cassidy]

@Cassidy

Excluding a stupid offer from the Saudis, what would you consider and good enough offer that is also realistic? And would you sell to a rival team?

That being said: it's a waste of time to discuss whether or not we should sell Bruno with someone who thinks that he isn't even good enough to win the league. Far worse players have won multiple titles, you know. Bruno isn't some cursed player that will hold a good team back.

I said he was not good enough to win us a league and he isn’t. Of course if you put him in a City midfield he can win one as part of a team of better players. He isn’t the player you want being the best in the squad his career has shown this. Sporting won after he left by the way. He is good for Portugal where he is not the best player.

I would sell him for around 40m, also why are you worried about selling him to a rival? If you are targeting winning in 2028 he won’t be a factor then. I hope you realise our rivals as of now are the likes of Newcastle, Spurs Villa etc

 

[Cassidy]

Anyone saying sell him, wont happen for various reasons.

1. He is 31 in the summer, so there is limited number of clubs who will be interested.
2. He is on 300k a week meaning, there is no suitor left in Europe.
3. I doubt Bruno goes to Saudi with a WC coming up.

I see the rationale in wanting him gone, we should get rid of every player that has outlasted 2 managers.

Probably shouldn’t have given him that new contract when he was not even performing, but hey he is our best player after all. There is zero players who should be earning his wage at the club. After the likes of Rashford and Casemiro he should be axed. His book value should be close to zero now too since he has been here for a while so you don’t need a huge transfer fee to make positive PSR impact and save 300k a week