Bruno Fernandes has endured a torrid start the the season under Erik ten Hag (Image: None)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is out-of-sorts, and the club’s former striker Louis Saha suggests his midfield team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen are not helping. The Portuguese playmaker has yet to score in this campaign, only contributing one assist in the Premier League, leading to a string of scrutiny.
His red card against Tottenham, which was later rescinded, and another dismissal in the Europa League clash with Porto saw critics lump on their disappointments and a lot of United’s early season woes – that have seen them muster just eight points from seven domestically – have been placed upon the 30-year-old’s shoulders.
Yet, Saha points out that the support from the likes of young talent Mainoo and the experienced Eriksen, who has netted three times in European and Carabao Cup competitions – the only goals scored by a midfielder in United red this term – has been lacking.
“It could be a bit of bad luck that Bruno Fernandes hasn’t scored yet, he’s hit the bar, and these things happen. He doesn’t seem to be as confident,” Saha told Paddy Power. “But, also, Manchester United’s tactics are a part of it. He hasn’t been helped and has been given many passes by the wingers.
“His talent does the talking but when the talent doesn’t talk, you’ll find him struggling. His work rate has been the same, but the team aren’t linking up as well. Some of those tactical choices in midfield United have good players, but they’re missing the legs.
“Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen are good on the ball, but sometimes they play too deep and not close enough to the strikers. They’re too far away, and their positioning is not right it’s a struggle to watch.”
While on international duty with Portugal, Fernandes opened up about his challenging seasonal start, vowing for a turnaround. “As for the club, I want to improve as soon as I get [back] there and make sure the goals start coming again,” Fernandes confessed.
“I have to take responsibility for that too because I’m a midfielder who scores a lot of goals, and over the years, I’ve always been at a very high level in terms of goals, and I have to live up to that, with those expectations.
“I also have my own standards, I don’t hold back on that. I haven’t scored for the club yet [this season] and I hope that as soon as I get there I can score and help the club get back to winning ways and to a good level.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1961334/fernandes-man-utd-mainoo-eriksen-tbk