Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has no doubts about Bruno Fernandes’ ability to rise to the occasion, but he hopes his captain will show more faith in his team-mates.
Fernandes produced a stunning hat-trick in United’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League, reinforcing his status as the squad’s most reliable performer. The Portuguese playmaker has often divided opinion, drawing both criticism and admiration for his leadership and playing style.
His captaincy has been questioned in the past, notably by former United skipper Gary Neville, following the team’s humiliating 7-0 defeat at Liverpool in March 2023. More recently, Roy Keane, another club legend, expressed doubt over Fernandes’ impact, dismissing the idea that United’s struggles this season would be significantly worse without him.
United are enduring a disastrous league campaign, sitting 14th in the table and heading for their worst finish since their relegation in 1973-74. Yet, Fernandes remains their most prolific player, netting 15 goals this season—more than any of his teammates, none of whom have reached double figures.
The driving force behind United’s limited success
This season, Fernandes has found the net in 12 matches, with eight of those goals directly affecting the outcome – turning defeats into draws and salvaging crucial wins. His ability to step up in key moments has been evident over the past month alone.
He scored United’s goal in their draw with Arsenal, netted the equalizer in an FA Cup tie against Fulham that ended in a penalty shootout loss, and delivered a brilliant free kick at Everton to keep his team in the contest.
Recognizing his influence, former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised Fernandes on TNT Sports, highlighting his deeper role in recent weeks. “Over these last six or seven weeks, he’s been outstanding,” Scholes said. “He’s carrying this team to a little bit of success.”
Beyond his goal contributions, Fernandes is also one of the most durable players in the squad. Only fellow Portuguese international Diogo Dalot has made more appearances than his 43 outings this season.
Amorim wants tactical discipline
Despite Fernandes’ contributions, Amorim believes there is room for improvement. The United boss pointed out a recurring issue – his captain’s tendency to abandon his position in search of the ball, disrupting the team’s structure.
“We know he gets frustrated,” Amorim explained. “He wants to win so badly that when things aren’t going well, he starts moving out of position to chase possession.”
Amorim sees the solution as something that must come from within Fernandes himself. “Sometimes, he needs to trust his teammates,” he added.
While Fernandes continues to be United’s standout performer, Amorim hopes that by refining his approach, he can lead the team more effectively in their pursuit of silverware.
