According to Premier League expert Alex Keble, midfielder Bruno Fernandes is not perfect but still has strengths that fit the new tactical system of his compatriot coach Ruben Amorim.
Back to his best under Van Nistelrooy. Fernandes has been Man Utd’s biggest star for the past four years. Since his debut in February 2020, the Portuguese midfielder has been involved in 155 goals in all competitions, with 83 goals and 72 assists, the second most in the Premier League.
Since the 2021-2022 Premier League season, Fernandes has even created 344 chances – the best figure in the league, 80 more than the next person, Martin Odegaard .
However, Fernandes has been in a bit of a slump since the start of the 2024-25 season. Before coach Erik ten Hag was sacked, he had no goals, just five assists and received two red cards in 13 games in all competitions. Two of those assists came in a League Cup win over lower-league Barnsley .
But under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fernandes has been transformed, scoring four goals and providing two assists in four games. In the Premier League alone, in his last two games against Chelsea and Leicester City, he created 11 chances – equal to his previous seven.
In fact, Fernandes also achieved the same passing, touch and progressive passing stats as in previous seasons, but the biggest difference lies in his ability to take advantage of opportunities. In the Premier League this season, the Portuguese midfielder averaged 3.2 shots per 90 minutes, even higher than last season (2.6), but only 0.6 were on target per game – the worst since moving to Man Utd.
What position for Fernandes under Amorim? Fernandes will find it difficult to play freely under his new compatriot. Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation often has two wingers who tend to move into the middle to support the striker, making Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford or Amad Diallo more suitable options up front.
But Amorim knows it would be risky to leave out the team’s most creative and explosive player. Therefore, the 39-year-old coach can let Fernandes play his preferred No. 10 role, moving flexibly behind the striker, as he performed against Chelsea and Leicester.
The positive statistic is that Fernandes presses effectively, which suits Amorim’s tactics. This season, the Portuguese midfielder has pressed a total of 378 times, including 26 final-third close-outs that have resulted in opponents losing possession – the fourth highest figure in the Premier League. Fernandes is also second in the league for winning possession in the final third (37).
But the Man Utd captain’s greatest strength is his through balls. Fernandes leads this statistic in 2021-22 (22), 2022-23 (35) and is second in 2023-24 (30). He has only made six through balls this season – eighth in the league.
“It will take some tactical tweaking but United’s No. 10, if used in his best position with the right players around him, could work well in Amorim’s system,” said Alex Keble. “Amorim should at least pick Fernandes for the first few games of his tenure at United. But would Amorim really consider dropping Fernandes just because he doesn’t fit into his established system?”
