Amorim Must Brutally Axe ‘World-Class’ Man Utd Star v Chelsea

Manchester United’s poor form has opened up a whole range of debates as to who is not good enough in their squad to progress the club forward in the future – and one of those stars who should be called into question immediately is club captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes has been playing in the pivot for United this season, despite spending a lot of time in one of Ruben Amorim’s two ‘No.10’ roles through the previous campaign. He shone in those areas last time out, registering 14 Premier League goal contributions during his time under the Portuguese gaffer after he was appointed as boss in early November, but he’s since dropped back into midfield to allow the likes of incoming trio Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha to shine going forward.

Man Utd Struggling for Goals, Fernandes’ Best Role Unknown

However, that hasn’t been overly advantageous for United. Two of their four goals in the Premier League this season have been own goals, whilst Mbeumo’s strike against Burnley is their only goal from open play via a United man – and Fernandes’ strike from the penalty spot to win the game against the Clarets is his solo contribution this season.

The fixtures are coming thick and fast for United, and that will see them face two extremely tough challenges in the next month, with a home clash against Chelsea and an away trip to Liverpool on the agenda, whilst a potential banana skin away at Brentford could see them slip up in west London.

Manuel Ugarte is one player who has come under fire from Gary Neville following his performance in the 3-0 loss against Manchester City last weekend, but his midfield partner at the Etihad, Fernandes, is simply not suited to playing in a midfield two. With options more suited to the wing role in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3, it is time for the captain to be brutally dropped for the visit of the Blues to Old Trafford on Saturday.

It can also be argued that it may have been best if their ‘world-class’ midfield maestro was sold, like he could have been this summer.

United Should Have Opted for Fernandes Sale

The Saudi Pro League had made a £100million move for Fernandes earlier in the window, which was reportedly considered by the club and player, though no deal went through for his talents with Fernandes remaining at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, that money could have made some of their budget available for Carlos Baleba, a long-term target from Brighton – essentially making the Red Devils a much more all-rounded outfit. Of course, they would miss Fernandes’ leadership, knack of scoring important goals and general creativity that he brings to the squad, with no doubt that he is their best player on a technical level.

But playing in the centre of the park doesn’t quite suit him due to his lack of defensive nous and an inability to influence the game from deep. With Amorim buying three new players for his three attacking roles, it’s tough to envisage where Fernandes fits into his plans as opposed to Baleba, or Crystal Palace starlet Adam Wharton.

If he was sold with a more defensively-astute player brought into the engine room, that could have propelled United to new levels – and at the age of 31, it’s unlikely that they’ll see a figure of £100million for him again. As it stands, United should have genuinely considered selling their skipper, even if it was a step back in the present moment, for something to build upon in the future.

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