Bruno is considered a weak point for MU in big matches.

17/10/2025 08:30:00 ceshi

For many years, Bruno Fernandes has been seen as MU's heart, the player who has shouldered the team during its most challenging times. Yet, a contradiction is gradually appearing: despite scoring or assisting, he remains a weak link in major matches that require strict discipline, stability, and strong tactical resilience.

1. Since Coach Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag, Fernandes has been the player with the most appearances and carries the heaviest responsibilities within the squad. However, the intense workload is clearly causing a decline in the Portuguese midfielder’s performance. In the 2-2 draw between Portugal and Hungary during the World Cup qualifiers, Fernandes received a low rating from his home media, only 6/10, with critiques stating he "lacked energy, influence, and seemed lost tactically."

Under Amorim, Fernandes has been asked to drop deeper in the 3-4-3 formation, playing as a central midfielder alongside Casemiro. But this role does not leverage his strengths. Fernandes lacks defensive tackling ability, offers limited defensive support, and often abandons his position to push forward. When MU faces strong teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, or Man City, the spaces he leaves behind become easy targets for opponents to exploit.

2. Fernandes is naturally an instinctive player who enjoys roaming freely to create breakthroughs and lead the play. However, within Amorim’s rigid system, he is forced to follow the tactics—something that stifles his creativity.

When asked to play deeper, Fernandes no longer acts as the "playmaker" but becomes a link easily pressured and closed down by opponents. English experts say: "Bruno excels when the team controls possession but becomes a liability when defending or counterattacking."

Bruno Fernandes often disappoints in big games

In reality, during this season’s big matches, Fernandes has still scored and assisted, but his overall effectiveness is questioned. Whenever he loses possession in midfield, MU frequently faces dangerous counterattacks. Worse, the lack of connection between him and the forwards causes the team’s play to become fragmented and disorganized.

It’s not just form; psychological issues are also affecting Fernandes. He gets easily frustrated, often complains about referees and teammates after losses, which undermines his image as captain.

3. This weekend, MU will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool—a place where they suffered a 0-7 defeat under Ten Hag. Last season, in a 2-2 draw, Fernandes played high up in the attacking trio and somewhat showcased his creativity. But if Coach Amorim continues to deploy him as a central midfielder in the 3-4-3 system, it could be a "suicidal" decision.

Despite Liverpool currently going through a rough patch with three consecutive losses, they still possess a strong and dynamic midfield, especially Dominik Szoboszlai—who recently overshadowed Fernandes in the Portugal-Hungary match. When forced into constant duels, Fernandes often reacts slowly, lacks positional discipline, and is easily drawn out of the central defensive area—something Liverpool can definitely exploit.

In fact, many experts in England have warned Amorim to reconsider. Some believe Fernandes should only be used in a more advanced role behind the striker or even rested to recover fitness. Players with better pressing and defensive support skills, like Mount or Amad Diallo, could help MU maintain better balance in intense matches.

Clearly, Fernandes remains a top-class player, capable of delivering sharp passes or creating explosive moments. But in the current context, he is no longer the "team’s backbone" he once was. Fatigue, tactical constraints, and heavy psychological burdens are turning Fernandes from a leader into the weakest link of MU, especially when facing top opponents like Liverpool.

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