Bruno Fernandes played a deeper role in Portugal’s midfield as Jorge Jesus began his reign as national team manager with a 1-0 win over Wales.
Ever since Michael Carrick returned to Manchester United last season, Bruno Fernandes has returned to his preferred role in the No.10 position. His form during the second half of the campaign saw him become Premier League Player of the Season for the first time.
Before Carrick’s arrival, Ruben Amorim played Fernandes in a more disciplined role – trying to pull the strings from a deeper position in midfield, often alongside Casemiro. He had to play a similar role for Portugal on Thursday night.
Still, Fernandes created more chances than any other player on the pitch. It helped that Fernandes had large chunks of possession in phases of the match against Wales.
Jorge Jesus describes Bruno Fernandes as a central midfielder
Carrick has yet to settle on his best midfield dynamic since United made three new signings to revamp that area of the pitch in the summer. Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans all arrived at Old Trafford following the departure of Casemiro.
That said, it’s unlikely that Fernandes will be asked to drop deeper into midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo in need of more defensive protection in the middle of the pitch. He can then focus on pulling the strings in the final third, with Fernandes lingering around the final third, where he is most dangerous.
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has other ideas, as we saw in his first game as national team coach.
Speaking to journalists after Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales, Jesus explained Fernandes’ role in the team by referencing Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford.
“He can be a player who… Look. In his first year with Ruben Amorim at United, that’s where he played,” Jesus said, as per Record.
“United played with three forwards and he was one of the three playing on the left side, in a more central position. He’s practically a midfielder. With the ball, as you rightly said; without the ball, he has to drop deeper, he has to help the player behind him more, who is usually the left-back. It’s a position he knows, it’s nothing new.
“In his career, he’s only played as a second striker in the last two years; he’s never actually played as a second striker. He either plays as a central midfielder, or he used to play in the position I put him in today. He’s also played as a central midfielder for me; at United he also played as a central midfielder, alongside the defensive midfielder.
“Bruno is a central midfielder, we know that. He isn’t, and never has been, a winger, but he can do better than he did today.”
United fans won’t want to be reminded of Amorim’s tenure, nor will many want to see Fernandes pushed back into a deeper position.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/d2Yhk9c