Scholes suggests Fernandes’ unpredictability hampers United tactically

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Paul Scholes watched Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford from the BT Sport studio.

United were again impressive in the first half before allowing their opponents back into the game and by the end, the match could have gone either way.

Scholes was typically uncompromising in his assessment after the game and wondered whether Bruno Fernandes makes life hard for Ralf Rangnick tactically.

Fernandes is a virtuoso, as unpredictable for opposition defences as he is for his own coaches and teammates at times.

“I feel sorry for the manager, because he is clearly trying his best to set his team up and the players either not listening and can’t do it – or don’t want to do it.

“It’s difficult to understand when you’re sat here. I think Fernandes could be a bit of a problem. As much as he’s such a talented lad, scored so many great goals and assists – he’s all over the pitch.

“A coach would tell you better but from a defensive point of view but how can you set up in a defensive shape and set traps for teams when you don’t know where some of your players are going to be?

“Sometimes you see him at left back, he’s right back! At the end of the game, he’s playing behind Diogo Dalot for five minutes!”

Scholes knows what it takes to be a midfielder at United and that makes his assessment of Fernandes especially pertinent.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave Fernandes free reign as a number ten. Rangnick wants Bruno to play more as a number eight and has bemoaned the way United’s shape has gone in recent weeks when opponents have equalised.

The German has not been able to implement a concerted pressing game on a regular basis. That is not Bruno’s fault entirely but you can see the point that Scholes is trying to make.

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