Manchester United take on Premier League rivals Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday evening and a former Red Devil has told Ruben Amorim to make a bold change
Paul Scholes has told Ruben Amorim to change Bruno Fernandes’ position just A DAY before the Europa League final. Manchester United take on Premier League rivals Tottenham in the final in Bilbao on Wednesday.
Victory in Spain would not only hand them silverware but also rubber-stamp the Red Devils’ spot in next season’s Champions League. Fernandes, who would potentially lift the trophy, has been key to United’s run to the final.
The Portuguese playmaker has scored seven goals in the Europa League this season and provided a further five assists. Despite that form, Scholes believes the best course of action in the final against Spurs would be to give him a slightly more defensive role.
Writing in a column for TNT Sports, the United icon said: “I would try and start Amad and [Alejandro] Garnacho in the final because they’re United’s two biggest goal threats, along with Bruno Fernandes,
"The best way might be to drop Fernandes back in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro, which has worked well in the past, especially in European games. I think Amorim will start [Rasmus] Hojlund in the final because he hasn’t been too bad in the Europa League.
"He’s looked like a real threat and scored some important goals, but in the Premier League, he’s been really poor. If Amorim wanted to change things up, he could play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine just like Erik ten Hag did in last season’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
"I know he’s tried Kobbie Mainoo in that position too, but I don’t think he’s suited to it and Fernandes is a bit more mobile. With Fernandes playing as a false centre-forward, you could also start with Casemiro and [Manuel] Ugarte in central midfield.
"There are plenty of selection dilemmas for Amorim, but I just hope he gets it right. The problem is the manager doesn’t know what he’s going to get from most of his players on the day."
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Regardless of his position, the final in Bilbao could potentially represent Fernandes’ penultimate appearance as a United player. He has been linked with moves to both Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia - although Amorim has ruled out a sale completely.
Following the final, United have one more game to navigate before the end of the season. They take on Champions League-chasing Aston Villa at Old Trafford on the final day of the Premier League campaign.