Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson snubbed Bruno Fernandes for the two first-team Manchester United players that Ruben Amorim “cannot afford” to miss right now.
Bruno Fernandes has struggled to exert the same influence on the pitch as he has done in the past after Ruben Amorim tweaked his position this season.
The 31-year-old Manchester United captain has dropped into a deeper midfield role after the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the summer window.
Fernandes has started in the midfield pivot in Amorim’s tactical system for United, with the Red Devils manager preferring to partner Casemiro alongside the skipper.
However, Fernandes has been unable to have a meaningful impact from deep within midfield and the Portugal star has come under criticism early in the new season.
Paul Merson overlooks Bruno Fernandes and identifies two standout Man Utd aces under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford
Speaking on Sky Sports, Paul Merson was deeply critical of the tactical system that Ruben Amorim is using after Manchester United’s disappointing start to the season.
United lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday and Amorim was criticised for his side’s lacklustre showing in the Premier League encounter.
Amorim had been dealt a major blow going into the first Manchester derby of the new season after Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount were ruled out with injuries.
Merson suggested that ex-Wolves ace Matheus Cunha and former Chelsea star Mason Mount are United’s “best two players” ahead of midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
“You’ve got to be able to change now and then,” he said.
“You can tweak it, it’s horses for courses, that doesn’t mean you are abandoning your beliefs.
“I don’t see them finishing anywhere near it this season, there’s too much work to be done. They haven’t got the quality.
“They were decent against Burnley, but it [ended] up 2-2 and they [needed] a penalty in the last minute.
“Their best two players are Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha; they cannot afford to be missed.”
Paul Merson baffled by ‘unthinkable’ fact around Man Utd under Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford
Manchester City’s win over United in the Manchester derby saw Pep Guardiola’s men pick up their first victory since the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola’s side climbed to eighth place in the Premier League table, while United tumbled down the standings to 14th after four matches this season.
Merson has said that he cannot believe that the Red Devils have not been able to win two consecutive Premier League matches under United manager Amorim.
“He still hasn’t won back-to-back games in the league, nearly a year in,” he continued.
“That’s unthinkable for a club like Man Utd. Unthinkable.”
United face Chelsea in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday before travelling away to face Brentford in their final match in the month of September.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
