One simple position change can solve Man Utd’s biggest issue, Ten Hag must do it vs Brentford

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This season, Manchester United have struggled to figure out the problem of an imbalanced midfield, but one simple change could fix that.

From the moment this season began, against Wolves at Old Trafford, there has been a problem with Erik ten Hag‘s midfield being overrun, unable to control games and those now infamous gaps between the lines.

This has been the source of a large amount of the pain United have suffered this season as even in 2024 despite results improving, the worrying signs are still there.

Diogo Dalot recognised this problem following the 4-3 win over Liverpool, explaining to Sony Sports after the game that in order to reach the next level, the Red Devils must fix the space between the lines.

But this problem may be easier to solve than it seems and a simple positional change could potentially have a big effect. Let’s delve into what this might be.

• READ MORE: Who is Bruno Fernandes? Inside the life of Manchester United’s Portuguese Magnifico

Erik ten Hag needs to move Bruno Fernandes back into central midfield for Manchester United

One thing which has been a problem for United this season in midfield is the tendency for both pivots to effectively move forward as though they were both box-to-box.

This has left massive gaps and seen United struggle to control games but with a three-man midfield, this could change. Bruno Fernandes is one player who is being wasted right now in a position which is far too advanced for him to really impact the game in a meaningful way.

Shifting him back into a three, with say Mason Mount as the other and Kobbie Mainoo at the base, could see United have a midfield with the legs and technical ability to actually dominate some games.

Mount would be the more advanced of the three, dropping between the lines, allowing Bruno to sit deep and dictate play as he has done so well in the past (particularly against Everton in 2022/23) while Mainoo effectively controlled the tempo while also being capable of progressing with excellent dribbling and passing.

We saw against Liverpool how well he was dictating play from deep, although from centre-half, and having this with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund all ahead of the trio could be perfect.

But in order for it to work, Ten Hag would need to decide on playing either a high line or pressing high as it cannot be both, and if the defensive line followed the midfield in having a higher line, then there wouldn’t be large gaps, and Andre Onana is more than capable of playing as a sweeper.

Bruno Fernandes himself would love to play deeper

In an interview with A Bola in Portugal while on international duty, Bruno mentioned that perhaps playing in a more reserved midfield role could suit him as his career progresses.

“I’ve played, however, especially last season with Mr. Ten Hag, lower. In fact, against Everton, I played [as a] 6 and I still think it was one of the most complete games I’ve played, at all levels.

“I have [it] in my head that I’m going to finish [my] career further back because everyone who started there and went to 10 ended up retreating on the field at the end.

“It’s a position I like, playing lower, more facing the game. With the ball, it makes my game much easier because I have a broader view of the game and ideal for what we talked about the last pass… which can sometimes come out lower on the field.

“The game with Everton was the one in which I created the most goal occasions even playing lower and not playing as 10.”