Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher believe Michael Carrick's decision over Bruno Fernandes proves Manchester United are struggling. The Sky Sports pundits spoke at length about the midfielder's role before the Premier League match against Leeds United.
Fernandes moved around in midfield
Finding a role for Bruno Fernandes in midfield is a significant challenge for Carrick as Manchester United head coach, according to the pair. The club strengthened that area of their squad by signing Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans during this summer's transfer window.
All three started in the Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid, with Fernandes playing off the right. Carrick, however, tweaked his role for the Premier League match against Leeds United, with Fernandes featuring as a false nine in the 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Pundits question the approach
Carragher and Neville were both not convinced before kick-off. Carragher said during Sky Sports' pre-match coverage: "The problem when you put three midfield players in there is what you do with your best player, Fernandes.
"Now, we've got him out wide left; in Madrid he was actually out wide right as well, and he's trying to get into pockets.
"I mean, you see a lot of teams do that now. You can't always just play with two wingers, but if you want to play with three midfield players, you're almost shoehorning in your best player as well. So, again, that can maybe cause a problem going forward.
"He won't be happy playing in a wide position. Because they were in a low block and they were good in transition. Now, obviously, they're trying to develop, they're trying to be a better team on the front foot and try and have all these rotations, but what's happening when they do that?
"They've got big, massive gaps in the middle. There's no point Baleba running out and pressing if the rest of the midfield don't come with him as well.
"They need to work as a collective. I think that's Man Utd's biggest problem, that the games I've watched certainly this season."
Neville agrees with Carragher
Former United defender Neville sided with his fellow pundit, commenting: "There was a time when Ruben Amorim was playing Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in midfield. Then when he wanted to make it a little bit more solid, he would put someone else in there, like Ugarte, with Casemiro, and he'd put Bruno Fernandes out wide.
"We've been down this road; we've seen it; it's not ideal. I don't think Bruno Fernandes looked completely happy with his position over in Madrid on Tuesday, but he has done it before, and he'll do it again.
"When you're moving your best player, the PFA player of the year, the best player of the league last year, into a wide area, you know that you're struggling."
