Man Utd legend tells Bruno Fernandes ‘the only thing’ that he ‘can’t do’ even if he tries, ‘because that’s not...’

Authors: Adnan Riaz

Publisher:

GRV Media

Published: 9/6/2025

Language:English

--:--

Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Tuesday, September 09th.

Mask

I'm Mask, we are here to discuss Man Utd legend Bryan Robson's recent comments on Bruno Fernandes and what he believes is the one thing the captain can't do.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. Bryan Robson, a true icon at Old Trafford, had some interesting words for the current captain. He praised Fernandes's brilliant ability on the ball and his terrific work rate, which nobody can deny. He’s a workhorse out there.

Mask

A workhorse, yes, but Robson pointed out a glaring limitation. He said Bruno can’t lead by example with physical tackles because it's just not his game. He can score goals, he can run all day, but he can't be the enforcer. That's a critical leadership gap.

Tom Banks

It's a fair point from a player who was famous for his physicality. But it brings up a bigger question. Is the problem one player's weakness, or something more? Marcus Rashford recently said the club has been in "no man's land" since Ferguson left, lacking a clear identity.

Mask

Exactly. Focusing on Bruno’s tackling is like critiquing the paint job on a car with a broken engine. Rashford hit the nail on the head. You can't win if your direction is always changing. The core issue is systemic, not one player's lack of grit.

Tom Banks

Well, speaking of changing direction, manager Ruben Amorim has certainly been trying to forge a new path. He’s shifted Bruno into a deeper midfield role this season, trying to solve the team's issues with building up play from the back. It's a significant tactical switch.

Mask

A necessary switch, but one with consequences. Amorim himself admitted Fernandes carries "so much responsibility." By dropping him deeper, you gain control in the midfield but lose his creative spark nearer the opponent's box. It's a tactical trade-off that has defined their messy start.

Tom Banks

It has been a difficult transition. Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation left huge gaps in the midfield early on, which teams like Newcastle exploited easily. But we are starting to see signs of coherence, especially in that hard-fought draw at Anfield. There's a template emerging.

Mask

A template built on consistency. For the first time under Amorim, the same back five started in consecutive league games. Suddenly, they looked more solid. It’s not rocket science; stable selections build understanding. Bruno’s role is a hybrid now, part playmaker, part gap-plugger.

Tom Banks

And despite playing deeper, his creativity hasn't vanished. He’s still created the third-most chances in the league since Amorim arrived. It shows his quality, but also the immense pressure on him to both build the play and create the final product. It’s a monumental task.

Tom Banks

This leads to the central conflict, doesn't it? Can a player like Bruno, who is more of a "floaty No. 10," truly thrive in a rigid, high-pressing system like a 3-4-3? Robson's comments about physicality tie directly into this tactical question. Can he adapt his game enough?

Mask

That's the billion-dollar question. Out of possession, that role is a liability if you're not a bulldog. This is about more than just Bruno, though. It's about what it takes to be a legend at United. Is individual brilliance enough? History says no. It requires trophies, period.

Tom Banks

I think that’s a bit harsh. Legendary status is also about character, about carrying a team through difficult periods. Bruno has certainly done that. He's been the standout performer in a sea of inconsistency. But you're right, the team's success ultimately defines a player's legacy.

Mask

He's been a statistical leader, but has he been a transformative one? The team is still searching for an identity. Until they find one and start winning titles, players like Bruno, for all their talent, will remain in that debatable zone just below true legendary status.

Tom Banks

So what has been the tangible impact of his new, deeper role? The statistics show Manchester United now lead the league in touches in the opposition's box and in accurate long balls. That suggests the strategy to build from deep through him is having some effect.

Mask

An effect, yes, but is it an efficient one? You can have all the touches you want, but you need to convert them. Last season he directly contributed to 17 league goals. The question is whether his deeper position will ultimately help the team score more, or just control the ball more.

Tom Banks

That’s the balance Amorim is trying to find. It seems the hope is that by securing the midfield, the entire team becomes more potent, even if Bruno's personal goal and assist numbers take a slight hit. It’s a shift from individual reliance to a system-based approach.

Tom Banks

Looking ahead, it seems Bruno is committed to seeing this project through. Reports say he wants to stay at Old Trafford for another season, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. He wants stability, which is something United desperately needs right now.

Mask

His staying is good, but it's not enough. As the summer transfer window approaches, the club has to build around him and Amorim's system. With a few strategic signings to share the load, this team could finally move out of 'no man's land.' The potential is there.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod.

Mask

See you tomorrow.

## Summary of News Report: Bruno Fernandes' Strengths and Limitations Highlighted by Bryan Robson **News Title:** Man Utd legend tells Bruno Fernandes ‘the only thing’ that he ‘can’t do’ even if he tries, ‘because that’s not...’ **Report Provider:** GRV Media (Author: Adnan Riaz) **Date/Time Period:** Published on 2025-09-06 20:00:00, referencing the 2025-26 season. --- ### Main Findings and Conclusions Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has praised Bruno Fernandes for his "brilliant" ability on the ball and "terrific" work rate. However, Robson identified a significant limitation that Fernandes cannot overcome: a lack of physical prowess and an inability to lead by example in tackles and physicality. Despite this, Fernandes remains a vital player for Manchester United and Portugal, with a contract until 2027. ### Key Statistics and Metrics * **Appearances in 2025-26 season:** Fernandes has made **four** appearances for Manchester United in the current 2025-26 season. * **Goals:** He has already opened his goalscoring account for the season ahead of the September international break. * **Recent Match Performance:** Fernandes scored the winning penalty in Manchester United's **3-2** victory against Burnley in second-half stoppage time. * **Contract:** Fernandes is under contract with Manchester United until **2027**. ### Important Recommendations and Observations * **Robson's Assessment:** Bryan Robson believes Fernandes' primary weakness is his lack of physical capability and inability to engage in tackles or be "really physical." * **Role Change:** Manager Ruben Amorim has switched Fernandes' role in the 2025-26 campaign, with the midfielder now playing in a two-man midfield pivot. This change has reportedly led to a "waned influence" from a deeper role. * **Team Support Needed:** Robson emphasized that other Manchester United players need to "take that on board as well" and support Fernandes more on the pitch. He stated that leadership and example-setting "can't all come from your captain" and that other players must "join in and help Bruno." ### Significant Trends or Changes * **New Midfield Role:** The shift in Fernandes' role to a two-man midfield pivot by manager Ruben Amorim is a notable tactical change for the 2025-26 season. * **Captaincy:** Fernandes is serving as the United captain and is actively trying to organize and motivate his teammates. ### Notable Risks or Concerns * **Physical Limitation:** Fernandes' lack of physicality is identified as a significant limitation that he cannot overcome, potentially impacting his effectiveness in certain game situations. * **Over-reliance on Captain:** The team's reliance on Fernandes for leadership and organization is highlighted as a concern, with a need for other players to step up. ### Material Financial Data * No specific financial data is presented in this news report. --- **Additional Information:** * Bruno Fernandes is currently away from Old Trafford for the September international break, having been called up for Portugal's World Cup qualifiers. * The report mentions a "forgotten Man Utd star" whose fate is in Ruben Amorim's hands, following a collapsed summer transfer, though this is a secondary point. * Another related piece of news suggests Bryan Robson believes Roy Keane sparked a "powerful change" in a Man Utd star.

Read original at GRV Media →

Manchester United and Portugal star Bruno Fernandes has shown his “brilliant” ability on the ball and how “terrific” his work rate is for the Premier League club.That is according to Red Devils legend Bryan Robson, who also warned Bruno Fernandes over one major limitation that he will not be able to overcome.

Fernandes is under contract with United until 2027 and the 30-year-old Portugal midfielder remains a vital part of Ruben Amorim’s plans at the Premier League club.The United captain has made four appearances for the Red Devils in the 2025-26 season and has opened his goalscoring account ahead of the September break.

Fernandes stepped up deep into second-half stoppage time at Old Trafford last Saturday and the skipper netted the winning penalty for United against Burnley.READ MORE: Ruben Amorim now handed ‘final decision’ over fate of forgotten Man Utd star who saw summer transfer collapsePhoto by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty ImagesBryan Robson singles out a key weakness for Man Utd and Portugal midfielder Bruno FernandesDespite sealing all three Premier League points for Manchester United in the 3-2 Burnley win, Bruno Fernandes has come under pressure early in the season.

Ruben Amorim has switched up Fernandes’ role in the 2025-26 campaign and the Portugal international is now playing in the two-man midfield pivot for United.Fernandes’ influence has waned from the deeper role and Ruben Amorim has often started the Portuguese midfielder alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park.

Bryan Robson has waxed lyrical about the former Sporting CP midfielder, but the United legend feels that Fernandes lacks the physical ability in his repertoire.“The only thing that Bruno can’t do he can’t get on the ball, and you know, he’s brilliant on the ball,” he told the ‘United! United! United!

’ YouTube channel.“He works really hard and touchwood his fitness levels are great and he hardly ever gets injured.“But the thing with Bruno, he can’t lead by example as far as getting into tackles and, you know, being really physical because that’s not Bruno’s forte in his game.“But he’s done everything else.

I mean, he’s scoring some cracking goals.”READ MORE: Bryan Robson thinks Roy Keane sparked powerful change in Man Utd star with ‘favour’ he did, two things already stand outBryan Robson wants Man Utd players to do something that will benefit Bruno Fernandes at Old TraffordDespite his concerns around Fernandes’ lack of physicality, Robson was unable to fault the work ethic and commitment that the United star has put in as a captain.

The 68-year-old legendary former Red Devils captain did add that other United first-team players need to support Fernandes more on the pitch during matches.“Like I say, his work rate is terrific,” Robson said.“He’s starting to shout at people and trying to organise them and that. But what I’ve got to say is the other players have got to take that on board as well.

“And it can’t all come from your captain. It’s other people [who] have got to lead by example and join in and help Bruno.”Fernandes is away from Old Trafford after the start of the September international break, with the United captain called up for Portugal’s World Cup qualifiers.