In a recent discussion on The Overlap, Gary Neville expressed his concern about Bruno Fernandes' freedom on the pitch and its negative impact on Manchester United's attacking play. While United managed to find the back of the net twice against Tottenham, their goal-scoring record this season has left much to be desired, with only three teams in the Premier League having scored fewer goals.
Neville highlighted the positioning of Portugal international Fernandes as a potential reason for the team's struggles in attack. He pointed out that although Fernandes is undoubtedly the most talented player, he seems to be everywhere on the pitch, with no defined role or position. Neville compared this lack of structure to the approach of Pep Guardiola, who strongly emphasizes positional discipline in his players.
According to Neville, Erik ten Hag, the manager at Ajax, seems to grant Fernandes the freedom to roam wherever he pleases. The result of this, Neville argues, is a lack of combination play and patterns in United's attacking movements. With their main midfield player constantly on the move, it becomes difficult to establish a cohesive and structured attacking system.
Jill Scott, a former England and Manchester City women's team midfielder, also joined the conversation, pointing to the contrasting approaches of Manchester City and United. She noted that players like Kevin De Bruyne adhere to a more contained position within City's system, allowing for better coordination and understanding among the players. Scott emphasized the importance of fitting into a well-defined pattern of attacking play and system rather than having excessive freedom.
However, some pundits, including Jamie Carragher, suggested that Fernandes' tendency to roam has been a characteristic of his game since joining United. Carragher argued that while Fernandes may possess great talent, there is a distinction between being a great talent and a truly great player. He highlighted the importance of game intelligence and understanding one's position on the field, citing De Bruyne as an example of a player who excels in this aspect.
Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain, echoed Carragher's sentiments and emphasized that Fernandes' actions can be detrimental to the team. Keane pointed out that even at the international level, Fernandes exhibits similar behavior. He reasoned that if United were winning matches and Fernandes was producing his magic, his roaming would be more forgivable. However, in a struggling team, it becomes clear that his style of play can be a hindrance rather than a help.
It is worth noting that while these pundits present valid concerns about Fernandes' freedom on the pitch, Manchester United's attacking woes cannot solely be attributed to coaching or individual players. The team's overall form and performance play a significant role in these struggles. Nonetheless, it is clear that finding the right balance between creative freedom and positional discipline is crucial in unlocking the full potential of Manchester United's attacking prowess.
