A man who has followed the rise of midfield to prominence in Portugal says he needs more help from his team-mates at Old Trafford
Manchester United are “over-reliant” on Bruno Fernandes, according to Sports vice-captain Carlos Carvalhal, who says the Red Devils need to build their game as a “gathering”.
Fernandes has been a talismanic player for the Red Devils since joining the club from Sporting for € 55 million (£ 47m / $ 66m) in January 2019.
The 26-year-old’s individual brilliance has often dragged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side over the finish line in games, with Carvalhal believing they are still a team that lacks coherence over the rest of the pitch.
What was said?
“I think it’s not good for any team in the world if you rely too much on one player, so this is not really good,” said Braga’s former coach manager. on Sport in 2009-10. talkSPORT.
“The best part is that the team works together as a group, because Manchester United have a lot of players who could be a threat, not just Fernandes.
“When a team is over-reliant on one player it can be very difficult to achieve something, because opponents find a way to block that player, sometimes the player can be injured or put off, and as that you cannot rely on a single player.
“Football is a game together, there are about 11 players. And while it’s important to have individual players to win a game, you need all the players.
“If you don’t depend as much on one player, and every player makes a difference, you can beat any team. ”
Fernandes’ impact on United’s 2020-21 campaign
Fernandes immediately changed his surroundings at Manchester after leaving Portugal last year, finishing United’s run to the Premier League finish in third place.
The player has taken his game to an even higher level this term, scoring 22 goals and 13 assists with the club’s cause in 40 appearances across all competitions.
His victory in the third final has helped the Red Devils rise to third place in the top flight again and reach the final stages of the FA Cup and Europa League.
Fernandes is hailed as the favorite to win this year’s PFA Player of the Year award after the first full season at Old Trafford, which fans hope will end with United picking up his their first major cup since 2017.
The bigger picture
United’s title challenge has already fallen off the rails, and they will enter the battle for a Champions League qualification if they cannot pick up a good result against Manchester City leaders on Sunday.
Solskjaer’s men have been unbeaten in their seven games against the ‘Big Six’ so far, and Fernandes is still looking for his first goal from an open play in a game at the top of the table.
The Red Devils tend to struggle when the Portuguese are off his game, as Carvalhal said, and that move needs to change for the club to achieve visible success in May.