MU lost Europa League again: Failure symbol Bruno Fernandes

MU faded

There are things that every managerial dynasty at United has been desperately searching for in recent years: an effective tactical system, and Bruno Fernandes not "disappearing" at the most important moments.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not find these values ​​in the 2020/21 Europa League final defeat to Unai Emery's Villarreal – who now leads Aston Villa – in Gdansk, Poland.

Bruno Fernandes fails again at the peak of glory. Photo: PA

It was Bruno Fernandes' most explosive season at United – 28 goals – but he was silent against the Villarreal defence, commanded by Pau Torres.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag failed to find Bruno Fernandes in big games.

Now, compatriot Ruben Amorim and MU need Bruno the most, in the European Cup final to save the disastrous season, as well as win a ticket to the Champions League. As a result, the captain completely disappeared at San Mames , Bilbao (Spain).

In the Basque Country, United were slow, lacked sharpness and lacked any creativity with the 3-4-2-1 system that Ruben Amorim had applied since Ten Hag.

The explosiveness of the quarter-finals and semi-finals is gone, and there is only a stalemate. The MU ship and captain Amorim do not have a compass to navigate towards Tottenham's goal.

The deadlocked style of play that MU showed was also the face of Bruno Fernandes, who scored a double in his previous match at San Mames, helping the Red Devils beat Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Coach Postecoglou "pocketed" Bruno Fernandes. Photo: PA

Ange Postecoglou has had a difficult season and his future is uncertain. However, if there is one thing he has done well, it is locking down the Portuguese midfielder.

Since Postecoglou's arrival, this is the 6th match he has led Tottenham without losing to MU (5 wins and 1 draw). In the 4 matches this season alone, Spurs have won all, scoring 9 goals and keeping 3 clean sheets.

Bruno has failed to score in Postecoglou's six games in charge of Tottenham. Not only that, in the first leg of this season's Premier League, the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder received a straight red card (his suspension was later overturned).

Disappointed Bruno Fernandes

When MU lacked ideas, with his experience, Casemiro tried to push the play forward. Amad Diallo tried to break the balance of Spurs.

However, the passes were broken when it came to Bruno Fernandes . Pulled into central midfield by Amorim, the 30-year-old only completed 68.5% of his 54 passes.

Ruben Amorim failed tactically. Photo: PA

That's much lower than Casemiro's 79.2%, who had 53 passes. Mason Mount was disappointing but also completed 72.7%. Diallo was on 90%.

Just like what MU fans are familiar with, when Bruno Fernandes disappoints professionally, he stands out in another aspect: he is immersed in a state of discomfort, engrossed in grumbling with opponents and even referees.

Bruno's disastrous game came to a head in the 42nd minute. His loss of possession allowed Spurs to build up an attack that ended with Andre Onana's net shaking.

UEFA credited Brennan Johnson with the historic goal, although it appeared to be an own goal by Luke Shaw.

In the Europa League this season, Bruno scored 7 goals and 4 assists. “Those numbers only mean anything if I can lift the championship trophy,” he said, expressing his desire to make amends for the 2021 final.

Bruno Fernandes always disappears in important matches. Photo: EFE

Fernandes could not correct his mistake, and even played worse. In addition to the pass that Pape Sarr intercepted and counterattacked to score, Bruno also made many other mistakes.

There is no excuse for Bruno Fernandes being pulled down, instead of playing in his familiar “number 10” position. The problem here lies in the psychological factor, a weakness that he has revealed since his time playing in Serie A.

Before the final, when asked about his best moment in the Europa League this season, Bruno Fernandes said: “I hope my best moment is yet to come. I hope it will be when I lift the championship trophy. That is more important than anything else.”

The moment Bruno Fernandes was waiting for did not come, and perhaps never will for him and MU. Next season, the Red Devils will not be able to participate in the European Cup.

With the Premier League being as harsh and unpredictable as it is now, where clubs are narrowing the gap in strength, the day MU returns to the European playground seems far away.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mu-thua-tottenham-o-europa-league-bruno-fernandes-lai-mat-tich-2403736.html