Wayne Rooney has warned that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes could 'explode' as frustration builds during the club's difficult run. The former United captain believes the Portuguese star is showing clear signs of being weighed down by the responsibility of carrying the team.
United have won only two of their last eight matches across all competitions, with victories coming against Ipswich in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League. They are now without a win in four games, having squandered leads against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, while a fortunate result earned them a point at Craven Cottage against Fulham.
Rooney's warning over Fernandes
Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to United podcast, Rooney said: "I genuinely do think he looks (like), 'oh, here we go again'. Same thing."
"There's only so many times (he can do it), he is getting personal recognition, his goals, assists and he's carried the team but you need taking out of that position," Rooney added. "You can't take yourself out but taken out of that role to be able to breathe again. You can see it building up, there's going to be an explosion with him if it keeps building with him, he's not scared to come out and voice his opinion so there will be that explosion if it carries on."
Midfield concerns raised
Rooney suggested that Fernandes could be moved back or even dropped to freshen things up, saying: "Even if taking him out, moving him back or take him out the team, freshen it up a little bit, be more solid in midfield because what you need to do is get results and wins any way that you can."
He also highlighted issues in the midfield, noting: "[Youri] Tielemans can play that position but for me you need that three in midfield because you're getting outrun, outplayed and then all of a sudden you've got Tielemans and [Kobbie] Mainoo who are both not the quickest and not the most mobile to cover the full width, they can't do it, they need help. Whether you stick [Carlos] Baleba in there with them but they need security to help the back four as well. You need to be solid then go and win the game."
Bardsley echoes concerns
Rooney appeared alongside former United defender Phil Bardsley, who suggested Fernandes appears drained as he faces yet another rescue mission to keep the club competing for European football and domestic silverware. Bardsley argued that other players must now step up, saying: "Would you sacrifice Bruno? He's fed up, he looks fed up, he looks tired, he's carried the team for three, four, five years. He's probably got to a point now where if he's having an off day, somebody else needs to step up and nobody is."
