Manchester United Needs More Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes can always be Ruben Amorim's mainstay player at Manchester United (Instagram/@manchesterunited).

Ruben Amorim said Manchester United needed more Bruno Fernandes after the captain scored a free-kick in the first half and almost scored a winning goal at the end of the game against Arsenal 1-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Declan Rice's goal in the 74th minute equalized after Fernandes' goal in the 45th minute to give both teams a point.

Even so, Arsenal need a crucial save from David Raya to thwart Fernandes' golden opportunity at the end of the match.

Fernandes is a player who rarely appears to stand out for Manchester United, who is currently slumped in his 14th position in the Premier League. The Portuguese midfielder is the team's top scorer with seven goals.

Amoritism said Fernandes has the qualities he wants to show his players.

"I think (Fernandes) always performs optimally. Sometimes he can show frustration at certain times. It can hurt him more than anyone else."

"However, he wants to win, he is always ready and always ready to play in different positions. When the team needs goals or assists, he is always there and always sets a good example."

"Every coach, when you want to bring in players, expects the best. However, sometimes you have to adapt."

"All I can say is we need more Bruno, not only his character, but also his availability and ability to master the ball," Amorim said.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also gave Fernandes high praise after the game, especially in the way he chose a place to score Manchester United's only goal that day.

"They only mention if Bruno has done that, football is for (smart) players."

"If he has done that and took advantage of it, he is smarter than us and the referee," Arteta said of Fernandes' free-kick.

Even so, both Arteta and Declan Rice felt referee Anthony Taylor had placed the calf fence too far when Fernandes executed a free-kick.

"He did it, it was a goal. They took advantage of it. Football is for smart people," said Arteta.

"It really helps that the wall is about 15 meters behind!" Rice added.

Although Manchester United almost won the game at the end, Arsenal had 68 percent possession throughout the match.

Amoritism said he wanted his players to be more attacking-minded considering his team produced better performance than in recent weeks.

"The plan is perfect, but we need more possession of the ball and a little higher pressing."

"I don't want my team to play like this. In the future I want to spend more time attacking in the final third than in the low block."

"However, another performance, in my opinion, is an example for the future. The players follow the plan and unite."

"Staying united is a good thing as an example of the future. However, when playing at a club like us, you have to keep going no matter what. That's why change needs to happen," said Amorim.

The next match for Manchester United is the Europa League second leg match against Real Sociedad on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Old Trafford.

One place in the quarter-finals is at stake after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Anoeta.