Bruno Fernandes has pledged to play a key role in Manchester United’s adaptation to new manager Ruben Amorim’s tactics, as the Portuguese tactician prepares for his Old Trafford bow.
Fernandes, who has been instrumental in United’s midfield, emphasized his responsibility as captain to bridge the gap between Amorim’s instructions and the players’ execution during matches.
“I’m really aware of what we do in training,” Fernandes said. “I try to absorb everything from every position. As the captain, sometimes the manager cannot give the message from the bench to the pitch because of the noise or whatever. You have to be able to try and solve the situation together with your teammates.”
Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag mid-season, has wasted no time in altering the team’s tactical framework. The 39-year-old tactician has transitioned from the 4-2-3-1 formation used by Ten Hag to a more dynamic 3-4-3 setup, which brought him considerable success in Portugal.
However, the adjustment has presented mixed results. While Marcus Rashford found the back of the net in Amorim’s first match in charge – a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town – the team struggled to fully adapt to the new structure, leading to a lack of cohesion and fluidity in their overall play.
Fernandes candidly discussed the shared accountability among the players and staff for the team’s earlier struggles. “Obviously, if you change a manager mid-season, it is because things are not going as you want,” he said. “And if things are not going as you want, everyone has to take the blame.”
Manchester United now turn their focus to the Europa League, where they host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday. The match presents Amorim with an opportunity to showcase progress in his tactical revolution while also building confidence among the players.
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