Manchester United are now pressed into an unwelcome situation, with Bruno Fernandes set for a spell out.
Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United’s Mr Reliable, a player who almost never misses matches with injury.
This looks set to change after Fernandes picked up an injury against Aston Villa, that required him to be substituted at half-time.
Ruben Amorim is refusing to give up on a quick return for Bruno Fernandes
When do you think Bruno Fernandes will return?
While Ruben Amorim is optimistic that Fernandes will do everything he can to be fit, he is also realistic that the midfielder could miss games.
“It is a soft issue. I think he is going to lose some games, I don’t know for sure. I don’t know. We will see,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
Now the question for Manchester United lies with the dilemma over how to replace Fernandes.
Mason Mount has been Mr Unreliable
Ruben Amorim likes to play with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. He feels the pairing give the team a balance of defensive stability, and attacking creativity.
The most natural way for Amorim to replicate this, is by bringing Mason Mount back into midfield to pair with Casemiro. Joshua Zirkzee could slot into his place in attack.
This was actually Erik ten Hag’s original intention when he signed Mount as an eventual successor to Christian Eriksen, who had struck up a strong early partnership with Casemiro.
Mason Mount’s spell at United has been ravaged by injuries. This meant he started only 13 Premier League matches in his first two seasons at the club.
This season Mount has already started nine league games. It is positive progress.
But if Mount wants to really convince Manchester United fans that he is not Mr Unreliable, then he needs to step up during this crucial stretch with Fernandes out.
Even if Mount’s position on the pitch does not change, with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in midfield, United will still need the former Chelsea midfielder to become a real creative force for the team.
Ruben Amorim loves having Mason Mount in his team!
Should Mason Mount be an automatic starter?
Mason Mount can change narrative, or fold again
Mason Mount’s unreliability has always been offset by the fact Manchester United have always had Bruno Fernandes available.
Manchester United’s captain has been an ever-present who the team can rely on, to drive the team forward through his personality and creativity.
Now the onus must fall on Mount, Manchester United’s number seven. He must step up and deliver when the team needs him most.
These next few games without Fernandes are crucial.
Can Mount deliver in Fernandes absence? Or will he fold and suffer another injury, and fail to even see out the matches?
This could be a defining spell in how Mount’s career unfolds.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/npxsyh0