Graeme Souness tells Manchester United and Portugal star Bruno Fernandes to improve attitude to “go up another level”
Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness has advised Manchester United and Portugal star Bruno Fernandes to improve his on-field attitude to “go up another level”.
Previously, ex-Red Devil Roy Kean had also criticised the playmaker’s antics on the pitch as a drawback. The 28-year-old often cuts a frustrating figure on the pitch when things do not go his way.
Speaking on ITV (h/t Manchester Evening News), Souness applauded Fernandes’s willingness to face his mistakes. However, the Merseyside icon is not keen on the midfielder’s gesticulations while playing.
“He [Fernandes] has got the abilities you need, appears to have the right attitude when it comes to apologising to supporters when he doesn’t do well and being brave enough to get in front of the camera, it’s admirable.”
“But the thing he has to do to go up another level, the thing he has to get out of his game is what he [Keane] is talking about [petulance]. That’ll be taken out of him on the training ground.”
The Portugal international joined the Old Trafford side in the winter window of 2020 from Sporting CP. He made an immediate impact in Manchester and became the club’s talisman.
However, the 28-year-old has had a hard time on the pitch over the last few seasons. While he has been decent, the playmaker has not been able to replicate his initial form.
Some fans have been disappointed with Fernandes’ exasperated approach to the game when United are under the cosh. The Portuguese is often seen overreacting over a foul and berating the referee.
In the previous campaign, the Red Devils were underwhelming. We looked devoid of ideas in the attacking third and. Only Cristiano Ronaldo contributed a considerable number of goals to the team.
However, under Erik ten Hag, the Old Trafford side have looked encouraging going forward. While goalscoring has been an evident issue in the current campaign, we are creating decent chances.
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And Fernandes seems to have found his feet under the Dutch manager. He has also been handed the captain’s armband, with Harry Maguire dropping to the bench. The 28-year-old’s feistiness and aggression can be helpful in moments. However, he sometimes takes it too far.