'He is a leader and United don't have that many of them'
- Published
Chief football news reporter Simon Stone is answering your Manchester United questions.
Ben asked: "What are your thoughts on Bruno Fernandes? Everyone knows he is a great player. But I don't think he would get near the Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool first teams because he loses the ball 34 times per game. The system means nothing when you have your captain and third midfielder having no discipline."
Simon answered: "This is a tricky one. Bruno gets questioned a lot but he is a leader - and United don't have that many of them - and their most creative force. I agree that he sometimes lacks discipline. That is why I thought the decision to use him as a false nine in the FA Cup final was an excellent one because he doesn't wreck your defensive shape if he gets in the wrong position. I thought that may hint at what was to come this season but Ten Hag doubled down on his preference to have a striker by signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
"Bruno has not played well this season and I had thought his red card against Tottenham would force United into another tactic during his three-game ban. That position has now changed - but maybe Ten Hag will look at something against Fenerbahce later this month. It is definitely a problem and there are no easy answers."