Erik ten Hag said that Bruno Fernandes was his Man of the Match for his outstanding performance against Manchester City and this article will look at why he is effective on either the right or the centre.
Just me and a Mancunian celebrating winning in the derby 😁🔴 pic.twitter.com/rkEj8q18Zd
— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) January 14, 2023
Fernandes, scored the first goal of the game to set Manchester United on their way to a comeback victory over their local rivals and the United midfielder had to show his adaptability because he started the game on the right-hand side of a front three before moving back to his favoured number 10 position when Christian Eriksen went off as United switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Whilst previewing the Crystal Palace game, ten Hag was asked what did he see in Bruno Fernandes offering from a wide position rather than through the middle.
”The idea was, with Bruno on the right wing, especially in defending, but he defended, I think, as usual. But in possession, he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there, to bring the opponent problems in hesitation and confusion. I think he played that role really brilliantly on the right and on the left also. I think the rest of the team adapted well to the situation and I think we had really good breaks by finding the free man. Bruno was important factor in that role and he was important to the pressing as well, I think. I didn’t know he was [Sky’s] Man of the Match, but he was my Man of the Match, definitely, Bruno Fernandes” [via Man Utd].
In big games against teams like City where United are not going to have a high percentage of the ball, Fernandes’ work-rate and energy is important to ensuring that teams cannot play through United as he can help close down the space. He has improved a lot in his positional sense on the pitch, which has given the United boss, the opportunity to play Fernandes on the right.
I feel as though when attacking, the United number eight’s ability to play on the right or in the number 10 role is a valuable asset for Man United because if he plays on the right it encourages his team-mates to switch the play because when the midfielder is on the right, he has more time to pick out players in the centre, and if he plays in the centre, he is just as effective, because of his high-risk and high-reward passes that he makes into the final third, which creates goal scoring opportunities for his team-mates.
Whatever position that Fernandes’s plays in, United will be hoping that the Portuguese magnifico can bring his creative flair to Selhurst Park as United take on Palace tomorrow night at 8pm UK time.