The Dutch strategist should consider an important decision ahead of the match against Tottenham Hotspur.
After two disappointing draws against Crystal Palace and Twente, in theory, coach Erik ten Hag could point out positives to show that Manchester United’s situation will soon improve. However, the reality is that things are tougher for the Red Devils than ever, as they prepare to face three formidable opponents: Tottenham, Porto, and Aston Villa in the upcoming matches.
Clearly, Man Utd needs immediate improvement before entering this risky stretch, putting Ten Hag in a dilemma. The Dutch coach needs a lineup he trusts to deliver positive results, but the player he perhaps relies on the most—Bruno Fernandes—is going through a disappointing period.
Dropping Bruno from the lineup always carries risks, but Ten Hag has legitimate reasons to make this somewhat risky decision, given that the Portuguese midfielder’s form has noticeably declined in recent weeks—especially his poor performances against Crystal Palace and Twente. While he always puts in maximum effort, Bruno has been lacking the creativity and efficiency that are usually his trademarks, rarely causing trouble for opposing defenses.
Part of the reason for Bruno’s decline may stem from the massive workload he has faced since the start of the season, both at club and international levels. Even when Man Utd hosted a “lesser” team like Barnsley in the League Cup, Bruno was not given a break and had to come off the bench. Notably, aside from the win against Barnsley, he has started every other match for Man Utd.
Another factor contributing to Bruno’s struggles could be the style of play Man Utd is currently employing. In the past, Bruno was accustomed to playing as a number 10, just behind the front three. However, this season, the Red Devils have frequently operated in a 4-2-2-2 formation, which requires Bruno to play alongside another attacking midfielder. Recently, Ten Hag has started using three forwards again, but Joshua Zirkzee tends to drop deep, directly affecting the Portuguese midfielder’s involvement.
Ahead of the clash against Tottenham—a team that favors ball control—Man United might benefit from reverting to a 4-2-2-2 setup to optimize counter-attacking situations. However, Bruno should not be included; instead, Ten Hag should experiment with a forward duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Zirkzee, with the Dutch striker playing slightly deeper to take on the creative and linking role—similar to Bruno’s usual responsibilities and akin to what Zirkzee has been doing in recent matches.
Overall, aside from tactical considerations, Ten Hag could also see dropping Bruno as an opportunity for him to temporarily rest after an exhausting period across all competitions, especially in a match that promises numerous intense challenges.