[Borys]

This one will split the fanbase big time. On one hand, you can see his passing range is very good, and he actually CAN play more reserved #8 role. On the other hand, he is very weak defensively both in physical, but also "instinctive" way. I would be really surprised if that was any different.

I think he can play this role few times a season but this definitely isn't a scenario that we want to use frequently. I do wonder, however, why didn't we play Eriksen in that game? Is this another season where Bruno plays no matter what? Interesting relationship between Amorim and Bruno.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This one will split the fanbase big time. On one hand, you can see his passing range is very good, and he actually CAN play more reserved #8 role. On the other hand, he is very weak defensively both in physical, but also "instinctive" way. I would be really surprised if that was any different.

I think he can play this role few times a season but this definitely isn't a scenario that we want to use frequently. I do wonder, however, why didn't we play Eriksen in that game? Is this another season where Bruno plays no matter what? Interesting relationship between Amorim and Bruno.

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

 

[#07]

If Bruno plays the CM position i ask myself where does this leave Mainoo?

Cant help but think that we have better solutions in CM aswell as in this AM Positions in the longterm.

For the moment Bruno definitely has a place in the Team. But he should be rotated as well and not be nailed no matter what.

Bruno will end up playing in one of the #10 positions. Especially if the manager wants us to play through a #9 instead of having other attackers playing off the striker and trying to score themselves.

I am not a fan of Bruno as an #8. I can understand why the manager has gone for Eriksen and him in there over the past two games: Ugarte's a ball hunter so playing him with a ball progressor makes sense in theory. However, Bruno (like Eriksen) is just too lightweight.

I thought Bruno was good last night. However, I think we would produce more for Hojlund if Bruno is getting the ball in the final third and looking to play the striker in. Rather than someone else getting the ball and trying to run on their own instead of create.

Once everyone is fit I don't see Bruno as an #8 very often. I hope not anyway.

 

[OT1214]

Looked like he was instructing the team to slow things down after we scored the third goal. I hope we don’t do this often, especially against better opposition, as we will eventually get punished.

 

[statpadder]

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

That’s quite a stretch after just two games. You realize it’s not possible for a new manager to come in and drop the captain, right? What if he is phasing him out like Jose did with Rooney?

Amorim has certainly tweaked Bruno’s game in a week - or should I say, cut his wings? Completely taken his hollywood passes out of the game. I’m impressed.

 

[Scandi Red]

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

Yeah, it's a classic case of Occam's razor.

Amorim would be the 8th (?) manager in a row across 3 different teams to consistently start Bruno and generally let him play the full 90 minutes.

 

[klayton88]

Looked like he was instructing the team to slow things down after we scored the third goal. I hope we don’t do this often, especially against better opposition, as we will eventually get punished.

It certainly beats throwing Maguire on and going five at the back and encouraging them on as we've done so often over the years. I'm glad when we went ahead we didn't look like shitting the bed for the most part and saw the game out without the manager throwing his tactics out the window to shut up shop like Jose and Ten Hag did.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

That’s quite a stretch after just two games. You realize it’s not possible for a new manager to come in and drop the captain, right? What if he is phasing him out like Jose did with Rooney?

Amorim has certainly tweaked Bruno’s game in a week - or should I say, cut his wings? Completely taken his hollywood passes out of the game. I’m impressed.

Two games where Bruno is one of very few players to play the full 90. Early days sure but signs are that Amorin sees the same qualities in him that every other manager has. Which really shouldn’t be a surprise or shock to anyone.

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

This one will split the fanbase big time. On one hand, you can see his passing range is very good, and he actually CAN play more reserved #8 role. On the other hand, he is very weak defensively both in physical, but also "instinctive" way. I would be really surprised if that was any different.

I think he can play this role few times a season but this definitely isn't a scenario that we want to use frequently. I do wonder, however, why didn't we play Eriksen in that game? Is this another season where Bruno plays no matter what? Interesting relationship between Amorim and Bruno.

We know he can play deeper when the opposition allows us time and space on the ball in those areas. How he will adapt against high pressing tactics, it remains to be seen.

It's also well-known that he has both the range and the vision to find a pass, especially the ones that can "bypass" the process and create an opening more directly. Which is something that can come in handy in attacking transitions. The question remains whether he can play the "other" passes, the ones that set the tempo and allow teams to control matches. Good ball circulation, not in our third, but above the halfway line. A lot will depend on him since his midfield partner seems to be a purely defensive player. Scholes and Fabregas, who both transitioned to deeper roles, could do both things very well. And they didn't need ball winners beside them.

Which brings me to the last point. We're playing with a back three and Ugarte. Supposedly, one of the wingbacks is also more "restrained". It's the manager's job to find roles for his best players without disturbing the balance of the team. How many defensive players does he need in the starting lineup? We're not Fulham.

 

[mctrials23]

That’s quite a stretch after just two games. You realize it’s not possible for a new manager to come in and drop the captain, right? What if he is phasing him out like Jose did with Rooney?

Amorim has certainly tweaked Bruno’s game in a week - or should I say, cut his wings? Completely taken his hollywood passes out of the game. I’m impressed.

I think he might have told a few players that if they don't do as they are told they won't be played. Garnacho was defending last night and wasn't single mindedly going for goal whenever he got in the final third. Two things that are very rare. Good to see because these players need to realise that the top teams play for each other, not themselves. When you play for the team it benefits everyone. Its better for the team to score 50 goals than your "star players" scoring more but the team only getting 35.

 

[Borys]

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

I don't have a problem with playing Bruno (as you are clearly implying in this comment). I do not like shoehorning players out of position (CM clearly is out of position for Bruno, even if he can "do a job" there against Bodo Glimt). All of our previous managers loved playing AMs in CM position, this is such a Manchester United thing to do.

Anyway, I just trust he will be dropped if his form goes down - something I could not trust our previous manager with. We have options now and I think he at least needs a rest sometimes.

 

[AndyMUFC]

He was pretty good for the most part. I do think we’ll miss his creativity if he’s played deeper though, especially until we sort out the wing backs.

 

[youngrell]

It's funny how some want to absorb every tiny detail from the new manager, except when it's praising their least favourite player.

Bruno has clear deficiencies in CM, and the role also blunts some of his strengths, but those deficiencies are also present in most of his competition for a CM spot next to Ugarte. They are all quite poor defensively, except for Casemiro, but he has gone back to looking like a fish out of water within a week of Amorim replacing Ruud.

And the one thing Bruno will always provide above every other option is the amount of touches he has. He is better than all of our other CMs at finding space and getting on the ball, or wanting to get on the ball. That can't be overlooked, he does not shirk responsibility.

Anyway, I see him swapping between CM and 10 throughout the season, depending on the opponent, and remaining an important player in pretty much every game no matter where he's asked to play.

 

[OldTrevil]

We know he can play deeper when the opposition allows us time and space on the ball in those areas. How he will adapt against high pressing tactics, it remains to be seen.

It's also well-known that he has both the range and the vision to find a pass, especially the ones that can "bypass" the process and create an opening more directly. Which is something that can come in handy in attacking transitions. The question remains whether he can play the "other" passes, the ones that set the tempo and allow teams to control matches. Good ball circulation, not in our third, but above the halfway line. A lot will depend on him since his midfield partner seems to be a purely defensive player. Scholes and Fabregas, who both transitioned to deeper roles, could do both things very well. And they didn't need ball winners beside them.

Which brings me to the last point. We're playing with a back three and Ugarte. Supposedly, one of the wingbacks is also more "restrained". It's the manager's job to find roles for his best players without disturbing the balance of the team. How many defensive players does he need in the starting lineup? We're not Fulham.

Good post. I have the l same concerns in his play when we meet top sides that are both technically and physically adept.

For me, I'd say Bruno's vision and will to execute long passing is very good. However his precision is often lacking and his balls tend to demand a lot from his receiver. This means that in games against top level sides, where you don't just have to hit the pass but mainly be precise with it, then his vision is no longer that beneficial to the team. In fact in most cases it would either lead to a loss of possession or the receiver finally getting in control of the ball and only able to pass back, as he's already covered and the opposing defenders are all back in good positions.

He has always been an 8 in a midfield three sense in my view. The one who plays box to box either side of a more defensive player, and is tasked with contributing both to the attack and defense but never with primary responsibility in either. His running ability then becomes his primary contribution to the team, by being an available option in all phases.

Scholes and Fabregas were technically elite players and could manipulate the ball anyway they wanted. They could easily transition to controlling the tempo of a match adequately, and be often precise and dangerous with their passing either playing further forward or deeper. Bruno is not at that level.

It is certainly going to be interesting how Amorim uses him. For me he has good uses as part of a team but not as a focal point in any phase.

 

[bosnian_red]

I don't have a problem with playing Bruno (as you are clearly implying in this comment). I do not like shoehorning players out of position (CM clearly is out of position for Bruno, even if he can "do a job" there against Bodo Glimt). All of our previous managers loved playing AMs in CM position, this is such a Manchester United thing to do.

Anyway, I just trust he will be dropped if his form goes down - something I could not trust our previous manager with. We have options now and I think he at least needs a rest sometimes.

He might be rotated more but he'll play pretty much whenever he's good to go. People have their head in the sand if they think otherwise. He'll rightfully get more chances to get out of bad form if he's in bad form, but generally... He's the 1st name on the team sheet. He's basically our only player who is actually in his prime, he's the only one who is good enough for a top team, he's the only one who performs time after time, always has excellent work rate, hes our captain, he's always fit, and above all... He's one of Portugal's current most important players and a Sporting legend who watched Amorims every game basically.

So yes of course Amorim will fit him in, it's just a question of what position will he play more in, but likely that the majority of games I think he'll play as an 8. And early signs are that he'll be excellent there IMO.

Just listen to how Amorim talks about Bruno. He calls him the tempo setter, the most experienced one, the one with the best passing range and vision that nobody else in our squad has. It's clear there is a huge appreciation there from both. Weird that so many fans seem to be rushing to write him off after he had an excellent midfield performance.

 

[Scandi Red]

He might be rotated more but he'll play pretty much whenever he's good to go. People have their head in the sand if they think otherwise.

Hey, they'll be right eventually! 8th time's the charm, as they say!

 

[bosnian_red]

Hey, they'll be right eventually! 8th time's the charm, as they say!

Yeah give it a few years when he's 32/33 and is naturally phased out and people say "see, Amorim didn't like him all along!"

 

[Scandi Red]

Yeah give it a few years when he's 32/33 and is naturally phased out and people say "see, Amorim didn't like him all along!"

You're right, and it's so predictable and sad.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Unpopular opinion he would be relegated to bench before end of the season and United would try to move him in Summer .

I remember reading similar opinions on the caf when Rangnick first took over and when Ten Hag first took over. Turns out every manager rates him more than the average caf critic.

 

[gajender]

I remember reading similar opinions on the caf when Rangnick first took over and when Ten Hag first took over. Turns out every manager rates him more than the average caf critic.

And they ended up getting sacked without doing anything noteworthy relative to United's standing , its not exactly a gotcha moment you believe it is .

 

[CM]

This one will split the fanbase big time. On one hand, you can see his passing range is very good, and he actually CAN play more reserved #8 role. On the other hand, he is very weak defensively both in physical, but also "instinctive" way. I would be really surprised if that was any different.

I think he can play this role few times a season but this definitely isn't a scenario that we want to use frequently. I do wonder, however, why didn't we play Eriksen in that game? Is this another season where Bruno plays no matter what? Interesting relationship between Amorim and Bruno.

The problem is he also lacks the ability to dribble past players and control the ball in tight spaces that you would ideally want from the #10s. My general feeling would be that he's better playing closer to goal but I don't know if he's a natural fit for either of those positions in this system.

 

[Scandi Red]

I remember reading similar opinions on the caf when Rangnick first took over and when Ten Hag first took over. Turns out every manager rates him more than the average caf critic.

Not to mention Portugal, who on paper possibly have a top 5 national team. Bruno is still one of their main men.

Even Ruud, who for sure must have known that there was zero chance of him keeping the job long term, decided to play Bruno for every single minute that he was in charge. He had the freedom to do whatever he wanted for those 4 games! He could have started a new experiment. He could have changed Bruno's role or simply benched him. And he did the opposite of all that.

 

[Grand Vizier]

Benching probably our best player would be a very stupid thing to do, but rotating him is an absolute necessity at this point in his career. Any way, being our best player in this present United team isn't saying everything, and there are several players we could go for that would be a better fit for Amorim's 3-4-3, both now and long term. It should not be a priority, however, as there are multiple other areas that need to be replaced before Bruno Fernandes gets replaced.

 

[pascell]

Isnt keeping the ball a good thing?

Not with 25/30 minutes left and only 3-2 up. Yes keeping the ball is fine but Bodo/Glimt were not pressuring us, we should have gone for the kill. The result of doing this was giving them encouragement and we spent the last 10 minutes in a low block holding onto our lead.

You're going to hate football under a coach who wants control and for us to stop being so wasteful then.

That's not what I'm saying, read above, I'm saying we should have gone for the kill and not doing so offered the other team encouragement, especially when we only had a narrow lead. We need to learn to be more cut throat and put teams to the sword, not all teams will be as forgiving and allow us to be comfortable in possession, as Bodo/Glimt did for that 15/20 minute period.

 

[Real Name]

Not with 25/30 minutes left and only 3-2 up. Yes keeping the ball is fine but Bodo/Glimt were not pressuring us, we should have gone for the kill. The result of doing this was giving them encouragement and we spent the last 10 minutes in a low block holding onto our lead.


That's not what I'm saying, read above, I'm saying we should have gone for the kill and not doing so offered the other team encouragement, especially when we only had a narrow lead. We need to learn to be more cut throat and put teams to the sword, not all teams will be as forgiving and allow us to be comfortable in possession, as Bodo/Glimt did for that 15/20 minute period.

I dont remember us being passive for the last 30 minutes, we had some chances after the 3rd goal. In the last 10 minutes or less they were threatening.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

And they ended up getting sacked without doing anything noteworthy relative to United's standing , its not exactly a gotcha moment you believe it is .

If only they had benched him for the backups in his position, such as Eriksen or an injury-prone Mount, then I'm sure they'd have kept their job and done something noteworthy relative to United's standing.

 

[afrocentricity]

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

Wow.... I'ma just sit back and let you be me in this thread.

 

[Cassidy]

Maybe Amorim is just the same as every other manager that’s worked with Bruno? He realises that he’s such a good player he should be the first name on the team sheet. Just a pity so many of our fans can’t see what all his managers have seen.

Maybe, or maybe its a bit early, he's club captain and he's one of the better players in the squad.
Its a little early to be drawing conclusions, if Bruno is still in the side after the summer then you may have a point
Right now Bruno should be in the team, we don't really have many players who can create like he does

 

[Kweku Amonoo]

Good post. I have the l same concerns in his play when we meet top sides that are both technically and physically adept.

For me, I'd say Bruno's vision and will to execute long passing is very good. However his precision is often lacking and his balls tend to demand a lot from his receiver. This means that in games against top level sides, where you don't just have to hit the pass but mainly be precise with it, then his vision is no longer that beneficial to the team. In fact in most cases it would either lead to a loss of possession or the receiver finally getting in control of the ball and only able to pass back, as he's already covered and the opposing defenders are all back in good positions.

He has always been an 8 in a midfield three sense in my view. The one who plays box to box either side of a more defensive player, and is tasked with contributing both to the attack and defense but never with primary responsibility in either. His running ability then becomes his primary contribution to the team, by being an available option in all phases.

Scholes and Fabregas were technically elite players and could manipulate the ball anyway they wanted. They could easily transition to controlling the tempo of a match adequately, and be often precise and dangerous with their passing either playing further forward or deeper. Bruno is not at that level.

It is certainly going to be interesting how Amorim uses him. For me he has good uses as part of a team but not as a focal point in any phase.

Just like he’s utilised with Portugal. Never the focal point, but a good part of the team.

 

[Dannn411]

I remember reading similar opinions on the caf when Rangnick first took over and when Ten Hag first took over. Turns out every manager rates him more than the average caf critic.

And this is suposoed to be a good thung? Wake up and smell the coffee. We have been dogshite in that whole time and those managers were fired.

 

[Scandi Red]

And this is suposoed to be a good thung? Wake up and smell the coffee. We have been dogshite in that whole time and those managers were fired.

You are absolutely right. Bruno must take some blame. Blame for keeping these jokers in a job for far too long, that is.

 

[criticalanalysis]

If he plays like this as one of the 10s then it'll be a good improvement and basically what a lot of us have been asking for in the past 4 years. If it's as one of the centre midfielders, it's a worry but I doubt Amorim is thinking this will be Bruno's long term position anyways; he's just experimenting and I like that.

 

[bosnian_red]

Maybe, or maybe its a bit early, he's club captain and he's one of the better players in the squad.
Its a little early to be drawing conclusions, if Bruno is still in the side after the summer then you may have a point
Right now Bruno should be in the team, we don't really have many players who can create like he does

Do you genuinely think there is any chance Bruno is actually benched or sold this season? Just seems a wildly crazy and unrealistic opinion even if you hate the guy and think he's bad for the team. Just given how much work we need on our team and our money issues (and injury issues)... Bruno is a dead cert to be a key player for the next 2 seasons I'd say

 

[Cassidy]

Do you genuinely think there is any chance Bruno is actually benched or sold this season? Just seems a wildly crazy and unrealistic opinion even if you hate the guy and think he's bad for the team. Just given how much work we need on our team and our money issues (and injury issues)... Bruno is a dead cert to be a key player for the next 2 seasons I'd say

Does my post say this would happen? Or even suggest it? My post spoke about seeing what happens after the summer and yes I can see a scenario where a 31 year old underperforming midfielder, who operates best in a transition side over a possession side, is not the first name on the team sheet
I also don't hate Fernandes, hence why I said we don't have many players who can create like he does.

I personally think we will change midfield a lot next season and Mainoo and Ugarte will be part of it, I can't speak much for the rest of them

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Do you genuinely think there is any chance Bruno is actually benched or sold this season? Just seems a wildly crazy and unrealistic opinion even if you hate the guy and think he's bad for the team. Just given how much work we need on our team and our money issues (and injury issues)... Bruno is a dead cert to be a key player for the next 2 seasons I'd say

I don’t think he ideally fits in either the 10 or 8 in this system but that’ll all depend on how we approach recruiting this summer honestly.

 

[bosnian_red]

Does my post say this would happen? Or even suggest it? My post spoke about seeing what happens after the summer and yes I can see a scenario where a 31 year old underperforming midfielder, who operates best in a transition side over a possession side, is not the first name on the team sheet
I also don't hate Fernandes, hence why I said we don't have many players who can create like he does.

I personally think we will change midfield a lot next season and Mainoo and Ugarte will be part of it, I can't speak much for the rest of them

You said you'd if he's still in the side after the summer that Pogue would have a point... I'm saying he's as certain as anybody at the club that he'll be in the side next season IMO. It's just a very obvious thing and all the anti Bruno people are a bit weird with their thoughts at this point IMO. There's so many things going for Bruno with Amorim that it's a no brainer that he is in.

 

[Cassidy]

You said you'd if he's still in the side after the summer that Pogue would have a point... I'm saying he's as certain as anybody at the club that he'll be in the side next season IMO. It's just a very obvious thing and all the anti Bruno people are a bit weird with their thoughts at this point IMO. There's so many things going for Bruno with Amorim that it's a no brainer that he is in.

In your opinion. Im not so sure. Like I said I think the midfield will be rebuilt and Ugarte and Mainoo are the only sure things in midfield in my opinion. For Bruno it depends on how he adapts to a posession side. I don’t think hes the best 10 for a posession team and I also don’t think he will be ideal for the 2 cms positions either.

You also asked if I seriously think Bruno would be benched or sold THIS SEASON. Hence my response, which is a resounding no

 

[Zed is not dead]

I like how some posters use the « hes the best of a bad bunch, doesn’t say much », quickly dismissing he’s among the top players in the league and one of the best creators in Europe, while also being an important player for his NT

 

[Isotope]

His Portugal performances over the years showing that he has what it takes to play as a 10 in a not transitioning team. I’m not sure why people easily forgetting this obvious thing.

And Portugal has better players in attack and midifield. So when we improve quality of the team, he still wouldn’t look out of place. Although there will be less focus on him to do everything.

eventually age will catching up with him, and his performance will drop, and some people opinion will be right.

 

[Isotope]

Of course if there’s a chance to get player better than him, we should take it. SAF bought Veron when we had freaking Keane and Scholes in midfield.