Man Utd's overlooked Bruno Fernandes problem is hampering Ruben Amorim progress

View 5 Images

For a brief moment, it looked like Manchester United might finally be steadying the ship. Three straight wins - a first such run in nearly two years - had prompted talk of progress, of momentum, of Ruben Amorim starting to find his feet.

But Saturday's 2-2 draw with relegation-battling Nottingham Forest - which, without Amad Diallo's late wonder strike , would have been a bitter defeat - served as a sobering reminder that United's problems run far deeper than a handful of recent results.

The team still can't control matches for long spells. They still look fragile when put under pressure. And for all the talk of Amorim's fresh ideas and new energy, United continue to feel like a work in progress - a side torn between transition and tradition.

The draw at Forest didn't just halt momentum, it exposed the awkward balance in Amorim's evolving 3-4-3. The system can look slick when United dominate possession, but it quickly falls apart when they're forced to scrap, claw and defend in numbers.

At the centre of it all sits Bruno Fernandes - captain, talisman and perhaps, inadvertently, one of United's biggest tactical headaches . With that in mind, here are three takeaways from United's worrisome weekend.

Fernandes has been relatively effective in Amorim's 3-4-3, operating as one of the two central midfielders. When United are on top and the ball is theirs, his creativity and quick passing can be invaluable. But in tougher away games - like Forest - his presence in that role becomes a liability.

He isn't mobile enough to cover ground or disciplined enough to maintain shape, which leaves United's midfield exposed. It's reminiscent of Cesc Fabregas under Antonio Conte at Chelsea - a fine footballer, but too lightweight for the intensity and structure required in a two-man midfield. Conte's decision to favour N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic brought Chelsea balance and, ultimately, a Premier League title.

United may be able to carry Fernandes in that role for now, especially against weaker sides. But if Amorim truly wants to build a side capable of challenging for major honours, he may need to take the bold step of moving Fernandes further forward - or out of the team altogether.

View 5 Images

The problem, of course, is that pushing him higher up risks displacing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom look far more natural as inside forwards in this system. There's also the fact that Fernandes, for all his tactical limitations, remains a talismanic, goal-scoring fan favourite and one of the few United players whose form has held steady through recent turbulent seasons.

Still, if Amorim stays, so too does his 3-4-3 - and within it, Fernandes increasingly feels like a square peg in a round hole. Some will argue he's too good to drop and worth shoehorning into the side - but forcing him into a role that doesn't suit him could ultimately cost United when it matters most.

It's a tricky puzzle to solve, but if the Red Devils truly aspire to be a top side again, they must be willing to leave out even the biggest piece if it means the whole picture fits together better.

If United's midfield is to function properly, one player simply has to be part of it: Kobbie Mainoo . The 20-year-old brings a rare blend of composure, mobility and intelligence that United sorely lack. He can glide past a press, move the ball forward with purpose and still has the discipline to protect his back line.

View 5 Images

For a 3-4-3 to work, you need balance, control, vigour. Mainoo ticks all those boxes - and pairing him with a true holding midfielder, whether that's Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte or a summer signing like Carlos Baleba, makes perfect sense.

Amorim's decision to freeze him out has baffled many. In the games where United struggle to control the tempo, Mainoo could make the difference. Where someone like Fernandes brings risk, Mainoo brings rhythm - a sense of calm that allows others to play. If Amorim wants to create a midfield capable of dictating the game instead of just reacting to it, reintroducing the youngster should be the first step.

Two-man midfields demand not only structure and discipline, but also energy - the ability to cover ground, press intelligently and recover quickly in transition. Amorim seems set on pairing Casemiro and Fernandes, but that combination simply lacks the mobility and intensity the systems requires against the very best.

View 5 Images

Casemiro no longer has the legs to dominate large spaces on his own, while Fernandes's strengths lie in creativity and chance-making rather than defensive work or ball recovery. Without a more dynamic partner like Mainoo, United's midfield risks being overrun - solid on paper, but sluggish in reality.

The other glaring issue is out wide. Amorim's 3-4-3 relies heavily on wing backs who can stretch the pitch and defend intelligently. Right now, United have neither.

Patrick Dorgu is the only natural fit, but he's been inconsistent. Amad is being wasted at right wing back, while Diogo Dalot continues to fill in on the left despite being right-footed. It's an awkward setup that leaves United far too exposed in transition and far too blunt going forward.

View 5 Images

If United are serious about making this formation work, the January window - and next summer - must be about finding proper wing backs. Players who can bomb forward, deliver quality and recover quickly. They spent over £200million last summer on forwards when £50-100m on two elite wing backs would have made far more sense.

Now, they're being linked with expensive midfielders like Baleba and Elliot Anderson. But unless they fix the flanks, the structure will keep collapsing. The system depends on balance, and until United find proper wing backs, Amorim will keep trying to build a house without walls.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.