In a surprising twist, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, dropped hints that the club’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, could be repositioned as a right winger, potentially unveiling a goal machine within their ranks. The move signifies a tactical shakeup that could offer a fresh approach for the team’s upcoming match.
Bruno Fernandes, at 29, typically excels when stationed in the No. 10 role, positioned behind a solitary striker. From this central playmaking role, the Portuguese maestro consistently amasses an astonishing tally of chances created during each season at Old Trafford.
However, the ongoing season has presented unique challenges to Manchester United, characterized by injuries and off-field disruptions that have significantly affected their wide positions.
Mason Greenwood’s departure to Getafe on loan, along with Jadon Sancho’s exclusion due to a public dispute with Ten Hag, has depleted their options on the flanks. Further complications arose as Antony faced time away from the squad amidst domestic violence allegations.
The burden of stabilizing the wide positions now falls upon Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri. Yet, Rashford’s performance this season has fallen below expectations, Garnacho is often more effective as a substitute, and Pellistri has yet to contribute a goal or assist.
As Manchester United prepares for the upcoming Premier League encounter with Sheffield United on Saturday night, Erik ten Hag has hinted at a tactical shift that could involve deploying Fernandes as a temporary solution on the right flank.
The Dutch manager emphasized Fernandes’ versatility and effectiveness when deployed in a wider position, describing him as a “very good right winger.” Such a positional change could also facilitate Scott McTominay’s deployment in the role where he excels, as demonstrated in his performances for the Scottish national team.
Ten Hag explained the need to find solutions for injuries, particularly in the full-back and right-wing positions. Shifting Fernandes to the right wing would provide him with the freedom to utilize his creative talents while adopting a role that enables him to cut inside more frequently.
The manager emphasized the importance of using a player like Fernandes, who consistently creates a substantial number of chances in every game.
While McTominay has primarily been regarded as a holding midfielder throughout his career, his recent forays into more advanced midfield roles have showcased his growing goal-scoring prowess. Scotland’s national team manager, Steve Clarke, has strategically utilized McTominay in a more advanced role, and it has yielded remarkable results.
In Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, McTominay achieved an incredible feat by scoring six goals, a tally matching the achievements of renowned players like Kylian Mbappe for France and Erling Haaland for Norway during the qualification phase.
In a recent Manchester United match against Brentford, McTominay demonstrated his ability to score crucial goals. When brought on as a substitute with the team trailing, he orchestrated a remarkable injury-time brace that secured a dramatic victory.
With Casemiro sidelined due to an ankle injury, Sofyan Amrabat could potentially partner with either Mason Mount or Christian Eriksen in a double pivot midfield. If Fernandes takes on the right-wing role, McTominay might seize the opportunity to feature in the No. 10 position from the start, potentially unleashing his goal-scoring prowess from the opening minutes. As Manchester United’s tactical plans unfold, fans eagerly anticipate the possible rise of this newly positioned goal machine.