Reuben Amorim vowed to continue playing Man UTD skipper Bruno Fernandez in a deeper midfield role, rather than in an attacking position that is even more than the pitch.
Reuben Amorim has vowed to continue playing Bruno Fernandez in his midfield role, despite not playing for the strength of Manchester United skipper.
Amorim deployed Fernandez as a deeper lie midfielder, despite the 31-year-old playmaker creating his best form for United in a more advanced and offensive role.
However, Amorim refuses to change the 3-4-3 system and is allied with the summer arrivals of Matuus Cuña and Brian Mbemo, meaning Fernandez has been forced to play an inappropriate role.
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Amorim will stick with Fernandez in a deep role for Saturday’s visit from Chelsea to Old Trafford, claiming United will control more possession throughout the game by playing him there.
“Of course, Bruno wants all the freedom in the world,” Amorim said. “But even when he played the No. 10 role, he is getting the ball back.
“Maybe he doesn’t have the same freedom to go inside the box, but he’s there and he’s close to the box and he can take his shot.
“I think Bruno is in a position where he wants to deeper, have more possessions and try to get more control over the game, and we do that.
“Sometimes we miss a bit of Bruno before, perhaps because Mateus Cunha wasn’t there. But if Cunha was there, we have one extra player.
“So I’m just trying to balance the team and I’m trying to imagine the game, so I’m going to make sure I have the best starting lineup there.
“But I’m looking at Bruno a lot. He’s frustrated because he’s not winning the game. Sometimes he likes to move forward even further, but he does the job he needs to do.
“And the important thing is that Bruno isn’t playing well. That’s why the team plays well and wins football games. And he can play in a variety of positions.”
United, who finished 15th last season, scored just four points from many games this season, placed 14th in the table, and has already been dumped from the EFL Cup by League 2 Grimsby.
Amorim was asked why he continued to struggle this season despite the previous season, which was a full season with a summer cost of £236 million. Liverpool has won every game. It’s something about a team that’s winning something that happens to you to have that feeling.
“Sometimes, with us, I feel the opposite. We play well, but in some moments something won’t work.
“So we need to change that, but it’s just a victory. But if you see the goals for City, Fulham, all these moments, we scored against Burnley.
“We’re good at the game and then we draw (or lose). In all these moments, I think we can do better. That’s our fault.
Altay Bayindir started ahead of new signing Senne Lammens with United’s 3-0 derby loss last weekend at Manchester City. But Amorim has warned both goalkeepers who have to compete in the No. 1 spot of the season.
“No one has a place that’s his,” Amorim said. “Everyone has to fight. Everyone is fighting for a place. I’m just trying to win the game and I’m trying to see the best option to win the next game.
“At the end of the season, it could be another team on the pitch. We are trying to win the game, play better and get the best connection to score points in the end.
“My opponents don’t have the same amount of opportunity as last season, but in the end, if you can’t win, that doesn’t matter.
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