Slightly different things may be required of Bruno Fernandes during the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester Untied.
As one Portuguese reporter put it, a little less chaos and more control from Man United’s skipper.
Ruben Amorim placed an emphasis on retaining possession when explaining his Manchester United non-negotiables recently. As such, Bruno Fernandes may find himself having to cut down on those ‘hero passes’ in favour of retaining possession in a more structured approach to build-up play.
Fernandes lined up as one of those two roving attackers behind the centre-forward – in this case, Marcus Rashford – during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town.
And the Portugal international knows that the challenge facing him under Amorim is not merely to adapt to the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system, but also to use his vast experience and impressive tactical awareness to ensure that the manager’s messages are head loud and clear throughout the camp.
Bruno Fernandes embracing Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United methods
“You always have to adapt to different systems and different ideas because the manager may ask different things,” Fernandes explains, speaking during his Wednesday press conference.
“It’s not difficult for me to adapt to a different position. I’m very aware of what we do in training. I try to absorb everything [I need to know] from every position.
“I try to have an understanding of the game because, being the captain, sometimes the manager may give a message to the pitch because of the noise [from the fans] or whatever. So, you have to solve the problem with your teammates.
“Having knowledge of each position is a little bit my role.”
Man United may have utilised a back-four throughout Erik ten Hag’s tenure but Fernandes is no stranger to a wing-back set-up.
The Portuguese national team have utilised such an approach on occasions, after all.
Fernandes has also popped up in a variety of roles for club and country over the years – Ten Hag would often field him wide on the right, for instance – while the 30-year-old possesses an extensive understanding of Ruben Amorim’s way of doing things after watching former employers Sporting dominate the Primeira Liga on his watch.
“I think [adapting to a new role] probably could be worse for the younger players because, for me, I know very well what the players of Sporting were doing!” Fernandes smiles. “I know exactly what they where doing in those positions because I was watching their games.
“[And] we are international players. So, when we go to the national team, we play in different systems. Sometimes, [for Portugal] we play in a back three. Sometimes I play deeper, sometimes I play wider.”
Fernandes back in goalscoring form after lean spell at Man United
Man United’s number eight has been a footballer rejuvenated since Ten Hag’s sacking at the end of October.
Bruno Fernandes was concerned about his lack of goals in the opening weeks of the new campaign, determined to rediscover his net-busting talents sooner rather than later. With five in five for club and country prior to that trip to Portman Road, it’s fair to say Fernandes is putting the most frustrating period of his United career behind him.
Amorim is keen to lean on Fernandes’ influence at Old Trafford, meanwhile, with the captain leading by example both on and off the pitch.
“He’s a leader,” Amorim said last week. “[Fernandes and] the other players also have to understand the new idea of playing, so really good [to have him available].”
Amorim confirmed Lisandro Martinez is back for Manchester United while sitting alongside Fernandes in Wednesday’s presser, meanwhile. The Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt comes too soon for Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire, however.
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