Standout Man Utd ace is only player who can rival what Bruno Fernandes can do, Rio Ferdinand couldn’t name anyone else

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Rio Ferdinand has highlighted the influence of Bruno Fernandes after namechecking only one other Manchester United star from the Manchester City match on Sunday.

Bruno Fernandes once again played in the Manchester United midfield pivot on the weekend, with Manuel Ugarte partnered alongside him for the start of the match.

The 31-year-old Manchester United captain saw out the full 90 minutes against Manchester City, while Manuel Ugarte was withdrawn in the second half of the tie.

Fernandes was unable to impact the Manchester derby from his role deep in the midfield, with the Portugal international struggling in the position this season.

Ruben Amorim has been playing the United midfielder in the two-man pivot of his system, despite Fernandes thriving in an advanced attacking position on the pitch.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand identifies ‘something’ that Ruben Amorim cannot overlook, one Man Utd star impacted deeply

Rio Ferdinand reacts to Bruno Fernandes’ performance vs Man City and the Man Utd legend singles out Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad and the Red Devils were unable to assert any kind of dominance over Pep Guardiola’s men on the weekend.

United manager Ruben Amorim has now seen the Red Devils fall to 14th place in the Premier League table after the first match in the post-September international break.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand asked which other United star could have offered any real creativity in the first half outside of Bruno Fernandes.

The 46-year-old ex-TNT Sports pundit singled out summer signing Bryan Mbeumo as the only other player who could have done what Fernandes does for the Red Devils.

“It’s depressing watching United like that,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

“The way we allowed them to get in and get goals and get opportunities – it was weak, it was powderpuff, it just lacked anything.

“I thought in the first half, we pressed them quite well, and we had possession at times, got in the final third, and there was zero creativity.

“Without Bruno, you’re looking at it going, ‘Who else is going to create something? Mbeumo?’ But there’s no real guile.”

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim told Man Utd’s rivals have ‘perfect’ trio for his tactical system, two are ‘world class’ in their roles

Rio Ferdinand reveals a major concern that he had for Man Utd against Man City after the Premier League defeat

Phil Foden opened the scoring at the Etihad in the first half before Erling Haaland took advantage of United’s fragile defence and bagged a brace in the second half.

United legend Ferdinand admitted that the Red Devils’ defensive performance was deeply worrying and City carved through United in the 3-0 Manchester derby win.

“Defensively, I thought that was the most concerning thing,” he added.

“I’ve been quite complimentary about the defenders and the way we’ve defended it at times this season, but I thought it was like a hot knife through butter. It was too easy.”

City had suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats ahead of their victory over United, with Pep Guardiola’s side climbing ahead of the Red Devils in the league table.