Joshua Zirkzee vs. Bruno Fernandes: A New Dilemma for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?
Joshua Zirkzee’s performance in Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace has sparked an awkward question about Bruno Fernandes’ role in Erik ten Hag’s system.
For an hour, United played one of their most impressive games of the season, with Zirkzee at the heart of their attacking play.
His ability to link up with others and maintain fluidity in the final third was crucial, as evidenced by United completing 91 passes in that area during his time on the pitch.
However, once Zirkzee was substituted for Marcus Rashford, United’s attacking momentum faltered. They managed only 17 passes in the final third for the remainder of the match, and Fernandes struggled to adapt to the new system, losing possession 34 times and continuing an underwhelming start to his season.
Zirkzee, despite being signed as a forward, has excelled as a playmaker, connecting the team’s attacks rather than focusing on goal-scoring.
This contrast between Zirkzee’s more methodical approach and Fernandes’ riskier, individualistic style highlights a potential issue with Fernandes’ fit in Ten Hag’s possession-based system.
Fernandes has thrived in more chaotic, counter-attacking scenarios where he can exploit space, but as United aims to maintain better control and build methodically, his penchant for taking risks has sometimes hurt the team’s overall performance.
The situation raises a significant question for Ten Hag: could Zirkzee and new signing Rasmus Hojlund form a more effective partnership than Fernandes and Hojlund? Dropping or repurposing Fernandes, United’s captain and frequent savior in the past, would be a bold move. However, with increasing pressure on Ten Hag to deliver results, it may be a decision he will have to consider.
Joshua Zirkzee vs. Bruno Fernandes: A New Dilemma for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?
