The 2024/25 campaign was undoubtedly one of the worst in Manchester United’s history, with the Red Devils recording their worst ever result in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim.
His team finished the year in a measly 15th place, just a few places above the relegation zone, but that didn’t stop Bruno Fernandes from impressing in the attacking areas.
The 31-year-old has registered a total of 37 goals and assists in all competitions, certainly preventing the team from being dragged into a relegation battle.
Such a year was one of the best of his career at Old Trafford, with the Portugal international often being the go-to man to get them out of trouble, which is necessary in a club captain.
However, he has often had to revert to an unknown number eight role since Amorim took the reins last November – a move which has been the subject of much discussion in recent months.
The real question is where Fernandes is best suited and how effective is the team as a whole based on the role he plays?
The effect of Bruno playing in No. 8 compared to No. 10
Since Amorim’s appointment, Bruno has been named in the starting XI on 34 occasions in the Premier League – missing a few due to suspension or rest ahead of the Europa League.
The Red Devils have lost 50% of their matches with the 31-year-old playing in a deeper position, compared to just 37.5% when he started in his natural position.
Such a record could indicate that Amorim’s team often lacked creativity in attacking areas, which is confirmed by the goal figures.
During such a period, United averaged just 1.06 goals per 90 when Bruno played deeper, while posting 1.3 per 90 when operating further forward – further reinforcing his incredible ability to create carnage.
The former Sporting star’s only advantage working deeper is total goals conceded, leaving 0.19 goals fewer when playing in one of the two box-to-box roles.
All the aforementioned numbers show how important the Captain is in forward areas, so Amorim should use him in such an area.
However, this could take away another player’s minutes in the process, leaving the manager facing a huge conundrum if he is to save his job at Old Trafford.
The United star becoming a Bruno-type player at United
During the recent summer transfer window, United’s hierarchy handed Amorim a £200m budget to make the changes he needed to his squad following the dismal 2024/25 campaign.
He decided to use the majority of funds in the advanced areas, bringing in two players to operate in all ten positions of his infamous 3-4-2-1 system.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been the players who have filled such roles, as the majority of exits have shown in recent months following their respective transfers to Old Trafford.
The latter of the duo missed some of the action with a hamstring injury, which gave Bruno the opportunity to play his preferred role – but such chances have been few and far between.
However, he is not the only one forced to occupy another position, with Amad Diallo, like Bruno, having to make do with minutes in other areas of the pitch.
The Ivorian joined the Red Devils in the 2021 winter window, arriving at Italian side Atalanta as a right winger with huge potential to explode into England’s top flight.
Given the difference in system, the 23-year-old has been forced into either a number ten or right-back role over the past couple of months.
Amad, who “plays football like a kid” as Gary Neville describes it, was asked about his best position, but it’s clear he’s more suited to a winger role.
“He never stopped thinking about football as if he were playing in the street. Wayne Rooney was exactly the same. They are street football players and they believe that they should succeed, beat men and attack men, take the ball and take risks and he did that throughout the game.” -Neville on Amad.
His best performance of the 2024/25 campaign came at Old Trafford, where he scored a hat-trick against Southampton, while playing in a slightly deeper position.
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Amad Diallo’s stats for United in the PL (2024/25) |
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|---|---|
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Statistics (by 90) |
Scoring |
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Games played |
26 |
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Goals and assists |
14 |
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Success accuracy |
86% |
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Shots taken |
2.6 |
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Opportunities created |
2.4 |
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Successful dribbles |
2.1 |
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Touches in the opposition area |
7.2 |
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Stats via FotMob |
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It also allowed him to show his creativity, as demonstrated in the 4-0 win over Everton, going on to record two assists and winning the Man of the Match award.
The similarities between him and Bruno are for all to see, both having had to adapt their games in recent times to impact Amorim’s philosophy.
Both have made key contributions in numerous matches, undoubtedly making them two players who will be vital if the club is to return to their former glory in the near future.
