Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United should deploy Bryan Mbeumo as a striker to reignite Bruno Fernandes’ attacking instincts.
It has proved another lacklustre start to the season for Ruben Amorim’s side, who have won just two of their first six Premier League games.
Amorim is still yet to win successive league games since replacing Erik ten Hag last November, and has ammased just 33 points from 34 games in that time.
Over the summer, United sought to address the lack of goals in their squad with the signings of Benajmin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo, but the trio have just two league goals combined so far this season.
Whatsmore, the arrival of Mbeumo and Cunha, in particular, has forced Amorim to rethink his lineup, with the Portuguese tactician dropping Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes into deeper positions to accomodate his summer signings.
And while confident that Mbeumo and Cunha will prove their worth in a United shirt, Hargreaves is concerned that Amorim’s decision to deploy Fernandes in the heart of midfield is wasting his captain’s talents.
‘They decided to get goals and sign proven Premier League players in Cunha and Mbeumo, which I like,’ he told TNT Sports.
‘But now Bruno has to play deeper to get on the ball and create. He’s not playing his natural position, he’s playing deeper.
‘He’s playing as a box-to-box midfielder. Bruno’s one of the best creators in the division. So you’ve got to play him in his natural position.
‘But because they play two 10s, you could argue Man Utd’s two best players last season were Amad [Diallo] and Bruno.
‘They were the two 10s, and then they went and signed two more 10s in Cunha and Mbeumo when you didn’t have a keeper or a striker.’
Amorim has been unwavering when faced with calls to tinker with his style, but Hargreaves urged the United boss to consider dropping Sesko and making a subtle tweak to get Fernandes in more advanced areas.
‘I’d love to see Bruno play as a 10, maybe with Mbeumo as a No. 9,’ the former United midfielder added. ‘If you have Cunha and Bruno playing as two 10s plus Mbeumo, that’s good.
‘Maybe play Amad as a wing-back on the left if you want to stay with the formation. I just think it’s harsh on Bruno, him being criticised. I can’t imagine where they’d be without him. I said that to him last year, towards the end of the season before the Europa League final.
‘What he’s been able to produce in terms of consistency for them, that’s what you need from everybody.’
United will look to get back to winning ways in the league on Saturday as they host the impressive Sunderland, who sit fifth after three wins from their first six back in the top flight.
pimioprsu
0
m
Niccdortu
0
United has too many wanna be coaches and they will weaponize it if Sesko doesn't score. This very suggestion will be quoted and reported on. If he benches Sesko, he will be blamed for it! What's a manager to do at United?
nicklptz
1
Hargreaves always talk nonsense. why?
Vatacknos
0
that advice totally wrong
Tuhcemrty
0
a loosers has made their bed ready man u is a must to set back 0goals to 3 goals to make them more backwards before man u go know it the are much backwards even the rebuem go the will never recover that will carry lower division unless the do away with this stuborn coach now now and now he is going loose tomorrow match waith and see.
Visbdemnp
0
This is what Man U should use from now on
[image]
niece one my guy
kmuguna
5
Amorim doesn't listen to anyone's advice.He will sink with man-u like Cpt.Smith with titanic
patikstuy
2
Amorim sinking tomorrow
wimbdetu
1
he's going to do things his way and fuq the team up again. I'm just waiting to see if he'll make it to Xmas
dougiefresh
4
🇩🇰⭐ Rasmus Højlund has scored 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 goals for Napoli this season - the same amount as every Manchester United forward 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗.
Donwizzy93
1
What happened to Joshua Zirkzee
youngfarmer_10
3
There has to come a time where you have to throw caution to the wind, change players, but he makes like-for-like changes. If the players do not suit that system, you have to make a change.🤯
Hopceklnpy
1
This is what Man U should use from now on
[image]
4,1,4,1 nice one.
nukcklprt
3
Ruben Amorim doesn't know the ability of some of his players and when to use them.
Hopceklnpy
0
this team can do something wat we r expecting from tm on the pitch
[image]
yes it can do better with this one 4,3,3 or 4, 4, 2.
ChiemezieJudah
1
Majority of Man U players are just sluggish and they’re the problem not the coach,who missed their penalty? Is it the coach?
Hopceklnpy
1
The players at the moment can do better with 433, 442, 4141, especially 433 can help most of the players play in their natural positions like Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad, and Sesko
saddiklnyz
0
yes
Hopceklnpy
2
I think the solution is to just replace Amorim with someone who will be able to switch formations like 4,3,3 4,4,2, 4,1,4,1, and 4,2,3,1. And I know Carrick Ruud van Nistelrooy, Xavi Hernandez unai Emery and Jurgen Klopp are familiar with these formats.
Lencywordu
4
This is what Man U should use from now on
Football_Wiz25
2
Why does Bruno automatically have to be in the team? Let him fight for his position with cunha and mbeumo. Sesko is a striker so let him be that. Being captain should never make u undroppable. This favoritism nonsense needs to stop. Every manager it’s the same thing smfh.
Hopceklnpy
1
Amorim has a good squad at his disposal, but bcoz of his stubbornness and inability to listen to others, he can't use his brain to match the players to their natural positions.
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
5
Sesko is Okay, just tell Amorim to change formation to 433 let's check something first
gudiest01
0
nonsense pundit holjlund idls doing well in Italy
Kitaclo
0
if you like, put Kane and Ronaldo, United may likely discover cruel oil this season
liheiknstu
1
sesko is a best number 9 the problem is Amorim. If he can be replaced first things can be Okey
hosmnptz
2
Just simply advise him to play the 433 format which puts everyone in their best position
Moyabdelsu
2
Owen Hargreaves thank you thank you thank you again thank you Amorin always be wise and intelligent on your players and the game,we only need win not shine we want you here at this giant club in the world we love you but this is the symbol of truth Love please correct 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
dudcelnor
0
this team can do something wat we r expecting from tm on the pitch
[image]
You go too chop ham, where is your defensive midfielder??
tauacertz
1
The best formation which can fit is 4-3-3
hepbcelmou
1
akutu hewa man U
hepbcelmou
1
good luck Liverpool
Wusabikuy
0
coach has to replace himself first
Rhema10
0
A good coach who knows how to tweak the team to find the right balance will do wonders with the same squad available to Ruben. is actually up to him, but one thing is certain the result can not continue to go bad.
ficcelmsu
0
we want to replace Amorin instead
Rhema10
0
everyone with their own formation until the real game start 😆 come and be the coach but u are running away
Neyadeklrs
2
this team can do something wat we r expecting from tm on the pitch
vekacknruz
2
This team can produce when it's comes getting goals and defending.
sen10r
1
United has a small squad in terms of quality; you can't drop Sesko or play Bruno deeper. The best option for United would be to change formation, reverting to a back four, with Bruno at 10, Sesko at 9, and Mbueno & Cunha on the flanks. 3 CB doesn't work; they concede an average of at least 1.8 goals per match, which is terrible.
youthfuldance28
2
2wist
1
that man no go listen to you. he is too stubborn
yzi
0
should have bought wissa who partened mbeumo to thrive in Brentford rather than splash big money for sesko
Zubimnoruy
0
i say it before with out signing a better midfielder cunha embuemo sesko is nothing
Zesabclstu
0
so at means tree of tham after go Bruno fauendes Benjamin Seako Mbeumo Replace I say Benjamin Seako and leave Man united club and go will Fulham and Mbeumo will leave Man united Club and go to Leeds Bruno fauendes leave Man united club go to Real Madrid
Poyabdimnu
0
If I had the opportunity to stand on the touch line as a united coach just a game I would win against any team trust me, with a 4-3-3,4-2-31,4-4-2 systems united have every player they but stubbornness will sack this coach period
Arsenal1400
2
Seske is better
Hukcklmpyz
1
With sheepish manager Amaron, with singed Cunha and Membu, one of the best Premier League players, again ruins... Simple calculations: sack Amaron
Hukcklmpyz
1
Simple formula: Sack sheepish manager Amaron
Ziggamabhinya
2
Anopenga
hadaemny
1
Boy is so funny