Ruben Amorim hinted at playing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper position more regularly after a successful experiment in the Europa League.
Fernandes partnered Manuel Ugarte in central midfield in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system on Thursday night as United beat Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 3-2 at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese had been part of the front three for Amorim’s first game in charge, the 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town, but was moved back on Thursday night, with the new United manager delighted by Fernandes’s display.
Fernandes is a No10 by trade, but there is no such position in Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 formation.
Speaking to TNT Sports after full-time, Amorim said: “You can feel that he is the most experienced player. The tempo, sometimes we start the play and Bruno is the right man to start the tempo of the play.
“They [Bodo/Glimt] played with a back four. They closed inside, so we were trying to switch the play all the time and Bruno is the best one at doing that. So that’s why [he played deeper].”
Amorim added, “I think he is a midfielder”, suggesting he may continue to use Fernandes as part of a double pivot, rather than using him alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford in a front three, which he opted for at Ipswich.
United’s victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night came courtesy of a first-minute strike by Garnacho and two second-half goals from Rasmus Hojlund.
Amorim’s first league game at Old Trafford sees the Red Devils welcome Everton on Sunday.
