Recently-appointed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already started plans to rectify a squad issue that was highlighted by Red Devils legend Paul Scholes last term.
United endured the worst season in their Premier League history last time out, finishing as low as sixth with 58 points overall and a goal difference of zero. In turn, there are plenty of areas for Ten Hag to address as he gets to grips with life in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
One of whom comes in the surprising form of Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal international arrived at United in January 2020 and hit the ground running, but last season marked his most underwhelming since joining the club.
The goal contributions dried up, while there were murmurings of attitude problems during the tail-end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismal reign. However, neither of those things are the issue that was first spotted by Scholes back in February.
Speaking after United had just been held to a 1-1 draw at home by Southampton during Ralf Rangnick's ill-fated interim stint, Scholes pinpointed Fernandes as someone who was causing the manager headaches.
"We don't know what's gone on in the training field, you don't know the attitude of the players," the former United star pondered.
"We're hearing bits and bobs, what's right I don't know, what I would say today was that he seemed to change a lot during the game. At least four or five times he swapped it about.
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"He tried to start with a 4-3-3, Scott [McTominay] holding and Fernandes and [Paul] Pogba playing higher up. Then he brought Pogba back and shoved Fernandes higher up, I think Fernandes could be a bit of a problem.
"As much as he's a talented lad, when he first came to England he scored so many good goals, so many assists, but he's all over the football pitch."
Ten Hag is already thought to be thinking about his ideal midfield trio, one that boasts influence from fellow United figures Solskjaer and Sir Alex Ferguson. The Dutchman is keen on adding two former Ajax players to the mix in Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen.
The latter of whom was the subject of praise from Ferguson a decade ago as the United icon praised the Dane's ability on the ball.
Academy graduate James Garner is also knocking on the door of first-team football after a stellar loan spell away with Nottingham Forest. In turn, Fernandes may find game-time next term drastically reduced from what he is used to in a United shirt.
The presence of Eriksen in particular, if the former Tottenham star is signed on a free contract as many reports suggest he will be, could mean Fernandes is left vying for the sole the central attacking midfield slot against the Denmark international.
It is a theory that the sheer reliance on Fernandes last season and in truth ever since he joined triggered an eventual burnout. By finding midfield alternatives, Ten Hag may have dealt with the issue in a way both Solskjaer and Rangnick failed to do.
