Bruno Fernandes forced to play unusual position then brutally criticised by Portugal boss

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes was made to play in a different position as Portugal beat Wales 1-0 and his manager has taken a swipe

Bruno Fernandes operated as a left-winger in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales in the Nations League on Thursday night. But the Manchester United attacker’s new international boss, Jorge Jesus, thinks the 32-year-old was lacking.

Since arriving at Old Trafford in 2020, Fernandes has been nothing short of talismanic for United. His 111 goals and 106 assists to date have sealed countless results, including a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town last month courtesy of a Fernandes hat-trick. He was named club captain in July 2023 and has retained the armband ever since.

However, last year the Portugal star found himself at the centre of tactical discourse as ex-United boss Ruben Amorim altered his position. Traditionally, Fernandes had always been utilised as a No. 10, pulling the strings and getting into dangerous areas. But Amorim’s set-up did not feature a No. 10.

Instead, Fernandes was either used as a deeper dual No. 8 or No. 6 in a two-man double pivot, or as an inverted left winger. Amorim eventually lost his job and Fernandes, who was less effective under him, found solace as a No. 10 in Michael Carrick’s system. He broke the Premier League single-season assist record last term and was named PFA Player of the Year.

The 32-year-old was once again shifted to a wider area on Thursday by debuting boss Jesus, as often occurred under his predecessor, Roberto Martinez. He was enlisted as a left-sided forward as his national team bested Wales 1-0 in a Group D Nations League clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

Ex-Chelsea star Joao Felix played centrally, where Fernandes usually operates for United. Felix’s first-half strike was the difference-maker for the reigning Nations League champions, but Jesus was far from impressed with the sometimes isolated Fernandes’ performance.

Speaking on Fernandes, who was substituted for Joao Neves in the 90th minute, Jesus told RTP: “Every game has its own story. With Ruben Amorim, he played like that. It’s a position he knows perfectly. The only difference is that, defensively, he has to drop deeper. He could have been better with the ball. The team needed him more.”

Fernandes had his own take on the match and his positioning. He said: “If you notice, I was rarely on the wing. Defensively, yes, tracking back, pressing the full-back in higher positions on the pitch.

“Otherwise, it’s very much about what the manager’s idea is, which is to have a player inside who can link up play, drop deep to play, also support the striker and the second striker, create a triangle in the middle and on the wings, help in both areas.

“That’s what I did. The manager asked me for this role in this game. He’s already told me I can play in different positions with him, so for me, the most important thing is that what I do helps the team, and I will always do my best in whatever position the manager puts me in.”

On the result, Fernandes added: “We created many opportunities, we were almost always in the opponent’s half. We were very capable of having the ball, of dominating the game.

“Obviously, there are always aspects to improve in every game, regardless of the result, but I think it was a very good performance. After three days of work, the team assimilated the ideas well and what the manager asked of us, but there are aspects to improve.”