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Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has questioned Ruben Amorim’s use of Bruno Fernandes.
Despite United’s struggles in the Premier League, Fernandes has been outstanding this season – arguably playing the best football of his career – and has clearly adapted well to life under Amorim.
Fernandes has notched an impressive 19 goals and 18 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
Amorim has primarily utilised the skipper in a midfield pivot, but he has also impressed when deployed in one of the two No. 10 roles.
When operating in a deeper role, Fernandes has been instrumental in helping United break the lines and progress up the pitch, while in the No. 10 position, he’s consistently showcased his creativity and vision in the final third.
It remains to be seen in which position his long-term future lies but Rooney feels the Portugal international is less effective when playing deeper.
Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney explained that it isn’t right that defensive-minded players are sometimes allowed to be more involved in attacking play than Fernandes.
“The game now is very much positional. For instance, at United now, the creative players are coming back and the wingbacks are going higher.”
“The attacking players are lower than the defensive players. If you have good attacking players, you want them [higher up the pitch].”
“Like I think Bruno has done really well in midfield, but I want to see Bruno higher, in and around the penalty area where he can shoot and create.”
Rooney added, “You’re ending up with so many defenders up the pitch and your midfield players who are good attacking players filling in at fullback spots and stuff. In some ways it’s OK if you’ve got the personnel.”
“But every team is doing it now and I think it’s a little bit too much.”
United are back in action on Thursday when they host Athletic Club in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final tie.
Featured image Juan Manuel Serrano Arce via Getty Images
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