Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes could be undergoing a major change on the international stage with his country in his playing career.
Bruno Fernandes has been away from Old Trafford during the September international break after he was called up for his country’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Manchester United captain has been a key player for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and is expected to be part of his plans for next summer’s World Cup.
Fernandes has impressed on the international stage, with the 31-year-old representing Portugal at both World Cups and the European Championships.
However, the United star could need to make another change to his playing style and approach under Roberto Martinez going forward due to one Portugal ace.
Portugal expert breaks down the one knock-on effect to Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes under manager Roberto Martinez
Bruno Fernandes started and played the full 90 minutes of Portugal’s 5-0 demolition of Armenia in the Group F World Cup qualifying match on Saturday in Yerevan.
The Manchester United skipper was deployed in the No 10 role on the weekend, with Fernandes playing behind Portugal and Red Devils legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking after the result at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Portuguese expert Tom Kundert has revealed the impact that Vitinha has had on Fernandes.
“He [Bruno] is, although now he’s probably going to be playing a bit further forward, which I think is his best position simply because of the emergence of Vitinha,” he told the ‘United! United! United!’ YouTube channel.
“You know [Vitinha] is this world-class midfielder who tends to drop quite deep. Yesterday, he was actually dropping very deep, Vitinha, and allowing Bruno to play further forward.
“I mean, Bruno Fernandes, I think, for maybe since I’d say about [the 2022] World Cup – maybe the end of qualifying – for about two or three years, he was Portugal’s best player without a doubt. So good. So good.”
PSG star Vitinha shows why Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes has to play in an advanced position for Portugal
Vitinha was in the heart of the Portugal midfield in Saturday’s 5-0 thumping of Armenia, with Paris Saint-Germain teammate Joao Neves alongside him.
Portugal-based reporter Tom Kundert explained that 20-year-old PSG midfielder Vitinha is playing in the main role that Fernandes once thrived in for his country.
“I think Roberto Martinez really kind of gave him [Bruno] a new lease of life,” he continued.
“He seemed to really thrive under him and he was really good.
“And I’d say the only reason he’s not been Portugal’s best player over the last year or so is just because the emergence of Vitinha is just this, you know, absolutely incredible all-action midfielder and well just the kind of general of the team, which is interesting because that used to be kind of Bruno Fernandes’ role.”
Fernandes has found himself playing in a deeper role for United under Ruben Amorim this season and has been placed under the spotlight for his performances.
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