Ruben Amorim hails Fernandes’ brilliance but warns his reckless play is harming Manchester United.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is the heartbeat of his struggling team, but according to head coach Ruben Amorim, his relentless drive to win is also a major weakness.
After bagging a stunning hat-trick in United’s 4-1 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad, Fernandes once again proved why he is the club’s top scorer this season. With 15 goals to his name, he is single-handedly keeping United afloat in an otherwise disastrous campaign.
Yet despite his undeniable talent, Amorim believes Fernandes’ desperation to control every aspect of the game is disrupting the team’s structure.
“When we need it, he is always there,” Amorim admitted. “He brings the ball forward, he scores goals. He is the perfect captain for our team.”
But then came the warning:
“We know he wants to win so badly. When things aren’t going well, he starts changing position and chasing the ball. Sometimes, he needs to trust his team-mates.”
Fernandes’ tendency to roam out of position, leaving gaps behind, has become a growing concern. While his passion is unmatched, his impatience could be a double-edged sword.
United’s current Premier League campaign is teetering on historic disaster. Sitting 14th in the table, they are on course for their worst league finish since being relegated in 1973-74. Despite the turmoil, Fernandes remains the one consistent performer, having scored in 12 matches this season, often dragging his side to points they barely deserved.
Former United stars have had mixed opinions on his leadership. Gary Neville brutally criticised his captaincy after the infamous 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool in 2023. More recently, Roy Keane dismissed claims that things would be even worse without Fernandes, scoffing, “How much worse could it be?”
The reliance on Fernandes has never been clearer. No other United player has reached double figures for goals this season. Over the past month alone, he has scored vital goals against Arsenal, Fulham, and Everton—games where United looked lost without him.
Former midfielder Paul Scholes praised his form, saying, “Over the last six or seven weeks, he’s been brilliant. He’s playing deeper now and carrying this team to a little bit of success.”
Even Fernandes’ durability is remarkable. Among United’s outfield players, only Diogo Dalot has made more appearances this season. While others drop out with injuries, Fernandes continues to fight.
Amorim’s criticism might be justified. United’s lack of structure this season has been obvious, and much of it stems from Fernandes abandoning his position to get on the ball. But with the squad struggling, can you really blame him?
Whether he learns to trust his team-mates or continues to drag United forward on his own, one thing is certain—without Bruno Fernandes, this nightmare season could be even worse.
