It is not often that your club captain scores a hat-trick during the international break in a 9-1 win, but it poses an uncomfortable question instead of a pure boost.
Bruno Fernandes returned to Portugal duty like a man possessed, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in the 9-1 demolition of Armenia.
Fernandes missed the game against Ireland before this, with Portugal sorely feeling his absence, just like Man Utd.
The national team feels Fernandes’ absence just like United, but United don’t benefit from Fernandes’ presence quite like Portugal do.
Bruno Fernandes poses uncomfortable question for Ruben Amorim
Fernandes is as plug-and-play a player as one can possibly be at this level due to his combination of hard work, technical excellence, and leadership intangibles.
To get the best out of him, you simply have to put him in a team that takes the chances he creates, and allow him to do what he does best.
What he does best is play in the final third of the pitch and try his audacious passes, which, when they come off, almost always cause havoc.
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What he doesn’t do as well is track runners in the defensive phase and cut out passes near his own box.
Fernandes reminded everyone in the 9-1 win for Portugal what he’s capable of when he’s allowed to do what he does best, in a position he knows best.
As the attacking midfielder surrounded by rich talent on all sides, he became a nightmare for Armenia’s defence.
It is puzzling, therefore, that Ruben Amorim insists on playing him as that defensive midfielder whose life he can make uncomfortable by playing as an attacking midfielder.
Fernandes is critical despite Man Utd’s system not because of it
Fernandes has made a good fist of playing a role that does everything to exacerbate his weaknesses, and leaves him fighting from underneath to show his strengths.
He’s still playing those beautiful passes from deep, his set-piece delivery is top-notch, and he’s even adding defensive skills to his game.
However, in an ideal world, he shouldn’t have to do that, because what he already did was at a devastating level.
The harsh truth is that Fernandes is important to Amorim’s XI despite the manager’s best efforts, not because of them.
Granted, the level of opposition in international football is hardly glittering most days, especially compared to Portugal’s talents, but the contrast between his performances as a defensive midfielder at United and for Portugal is stark.
The irony is that Amorim undoubtedly wants to see Fernandes shine, because he’s not just his club captain, he’s also a key player for Amorim’s country.
It’s just that more Fernandes shines for his country, the more uncomfortable his situation at United becomes, courtesy of Amorim’s tactical decision.
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