Michael Carrick unleashed Bruno Fernandes perfectly last season, but he can learn a thing or two from how Jorge Jesus is using him for Portugal now.
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure from the Portuguese national team, Bruno Fernandes has emerged as the leader of the group.
Jorge Jesus trusts him completely, and a more mobile striker in Goncalo Ramos has helped Fernandes become more dangerous.
He is doing all this in a new position and role which can solve Michael Carrick’s tactical issue at Man Utd, but only if he accepts that Marcus Rashford can’t start anymore.
Bruno Fernandes’ new position for Portugal
Unlike most managers these days, Jorge Jesus doesn’t play a rigid 4-2-3-1 in possession, which means Fernandes is not a regular No. 10 in his system.
Instead, Jesus recently set the team up in a fluid 4-1-3-2 in possession, and a 4-4-1-1 out of possession in a mid-block if the counter-press fails.
Fernandes’ role in that 4-1-3-2 vs Norway was out on the left wing, with Joao Palhinha patrolling the defensive midfield and Vitinha ahead of him.
Francisco Conceicao and Fernandes occupied the spots out wide, with Goncalo Ramos leading the line.
Fernandes would regularly drift inside onto his stronger right foot and combine with Vitinha to great effect, who also needed help in the final third with creativity.
In defence, Fernandes’ work rate proved helpful for Nuno Mendes, who assisted a goal and ended up as the Man of the Match in the 2-1 win against Norway.
It opens up a unique solution for Carrick, who has made a mess of things with his stubbornness about starting Rashford in every game.
Fernandes’s role is a warning for Marcus Rashford
If Fernandes is able to operate in the left half-space and float between LW and CAM, then it changes a lot of things for Carrick.
Matheus Cunha becomes his ideal partner, as the Brazilian is potent in those spaces as well, making them a fluid duo.
In contrast, it is a warning for Rashford, who is a one-trick pony on the left wing and doesn’t operate as well in tight spaces.
His performances on the left have steadily become worse, and Carrick can’t afford to keep making the same mistake again and again, expecting different results.
Fernandes’ role for Portugal has opened up a no-brainer solution for him, as he can pair Cunha with him in a fluid attack with a lot of movement and intelligence.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/ZXV0t85