Bruno Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020 and quickly became a pivotal figure, amassing an impressive 306 appearances and 102 goals for Manchester United.
Recently surpassing Paul Scholes’ Premier League assist record with 57, Fernandes’ impact is undeniable. Yet, according to club legend Patrice Evra, the Portuguese star’s relentless drive to influence the game may be hindering his effectiveness.
Evra believes Fernandes’ ambition sometimes leads him astray, pulling him out of optimal positions on the pitch. He strives to do too much, attempting to control both the attack and midfield, ultimately diluting his impact in either role.
“You couldn’t tell me where he’s playing because he’s everywhere,” Evra explained. “Sometimes as a captain, you want to do extra, you want to do too much. And at the end, you’re not even at your right position.”
Despite this positional concern, Evra firmly believes Fernandes remains the right choice to lead the team. His contributions are too significant to ignore, and his presence is vital to United’s current standing.
The shift in captaincy also had a noticeable effect on Harry Maguire. Relieved of the armband in 2023, Maguire has demonstrably improved his performance, seemingly freed from the intense scrutiny that accompanied the role.
Evra points to Maguire’s renewed commitment and improved play as evidence of the pressure the captaincy exerted. Removing that burden allowed him to rediscover his form and play with greater confidence.
Another voice weighing in on Fernandes’ optimal position is Paul Scholes, who insists the player’s creativity is best utilized as a traditional number 10. He argues that constantly shifting Fernandes into deeper roles diminishes his attacking threat.
Scholes, a master of the number 10 role himself, understands the mindset required. He emphasizes that a player in that position naturally prioritizes attack, and repeatedly being asked to defend can be mentally draining and counterproductive.
“He is the most creative player on the team, he should be playing as the No 10, there is no doubt about that,” Scholes stated. “But he is being asked to do something different.”
