MU must 'deal with' Bruno, Amorim!

29/09/2025 07:03:00 PlaymakerHub

Ruben Amorim is facing heavy pressure at MU after a 1-3 loss at Brentford. This defeat not only revealed tactical vulnerabilities but also sparked questions about captain Bruno Fernandes' position.

Since taking over MU, Amorim has employed the 3-4-3 formation that was successful at Sporting CP. However, in the Premier League, this system has revealed many shortcomings. United have managed only 9 wins in 32 matches, a disappointing outcome. The Brentford loss clearly demonstrated the strategy’s ineffectiveness. The home side exploited the midfield weakness, where Fernandes was positioned as a defensive midfielder rather than his usual number 10 role.

Amorim remains firm on using Fernandes to dictate the game’s rhythm, but this limits his impact. Against Brentford, Fernandes failed to complete any dribbles, had just 78% pass accuracy, and lost possession 18 times. According to Sofascore, he received the lowest score on the team (5.8). More worryingly, Fernandes missed a key penalty, marking his second penalty miss this season, both against London teams.

Fernandes was once United’s core, consistently shining with key passes and important goals. But within Amorim’s system, he appears restricted. The central midfield role requires Fernandes to play more simply and contribute defensively, which contrasts with his usual style of seeking breakthrough passes as a number 10.

It is time to drop Bruno

Statistics show Fernandes leads the Premier League in penalty misses since 2020, with 7 failures, tied with Jamie Vardy. This season, he has missed 2 out of 4 penalties, a concerning figure for a player once considered a penalty specialist. Additionally, Fernandes wins only 50% of his duels, does not contest aerial battles, and is frequently beaten by opponents when United defend. His near "giving up" attitude late in the Brentford game highlights his struggle to adapt to the new system.

The defeat to Brentford puts Amorim at risk of being sacked. Former Wolves coach Gary O'Neil warned that the upcoming match against Sunderland will be a survival test. Failure to beat the newly promoted side could cost Amorim his job. United’s board invested heavily in the summer, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens, yet the team has collected only 7 points from 6 matches, sitting 14th in the Premier League.

Continuing to play Fernandes out of position is becoming a major error by Amorim. Removing Fernandes, even temporarily, could allow experimentation with a new system where players perform in their natural roles. For example, Joshua Zirkzee or Mason Mount could take the number 10 role, while Casemiro or another defensive midfielder controls the midfield.

Amorim stands at a critical crossroads. Persisting stubbornly with the current tactics and Fernandes’ role risks losing trust from the board and fans. Dropping Fernandes from the starting lineup is a bold but necessary move to prove his willingness to change.

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