Manchester United have a new permanent position for Bruno Fernandes

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Ralf Rangnick has indicated Bruno Fernandes will continue as a No.8 for Manchester United following his return to form. Fernandes scored twice in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Aston Villa on Saturday and created two goals in the 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday night, having started on the bench for the defeat to Wolves earlier this month.

United have switched to a 4-3-3 formation with one holding midfielder and two advanced midfielders. Scott McTominay replaced Nemanja Matic and excelled at Brentford, while the other No.8, Fred, found Anthony Elanga for the opening goal.

Fernandes has spent the majority of his two years at United in the No.10 role in a 4-2-3-1 system but his form plateaued in the final months under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United initially switched to a 4-2-2-2 under Rangnick but he abandoned the set-up following defeat to Wolves and United have become more prolific with a midfield triumvirate. “I think most of the top teams in Europe and also in England play in a 4-3-3," Rangnick opined. "I think for him (Fernandes) it’s better than being pinched to a No.10 position because he makes himself available in different areas of the pitch, not only the centre of the pitch. "For me, he’s not a wing player but in this position as an 8 he can find the spaces himself, he can sniff the areas we have to play the ball to him and make himself available. "I think this position as an 8 is almost perfect for him." Brentford dominated United in the first-half and Mathias Jensen was twice foiled by David de Gea in one-on-ones, while United barely survived a couple of goalmouth scrambles from set-pieces.