“I Can’t Ask Marcus Rashford to Do What Bernardo [Silva] Does”- Bruno Fernandes Differentiates Between Manchester City & Manchester United

What is the difference between Manchester City and Manchester United? Well, in the Premier League table, the two sides are separated by 16 points! But, what is the chief contributor to the vastly different performance levels of the age-old rivals? The Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes believes the quality and kind of wingers at the two clubs make an enormous difference.

As such, the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ said, “It’s not possible for us to play in the same way as Manchester City.” But how exactly does a side that lost the likes of Riyadh Mahrez and Raheem Sterling in recent seasons still have better quality on the flanks than ten Hag’s side? Bruno Fernandes gives us a tactical masterclass.

Bruno Fernandes lays bare the difference between Manchester United and City

In his interview with Abola, Bruno Fernandes revealed what prevents the Red Devils from playing the Guardiola style. He explained (translated via Google), “Manchester City has supporting wingers, very good in 1×1 too, but footballers who really like to play in support and also inside.” Fernandes then illustrated the examples of two pure wingers-Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who can’t play in the deeper positions. He added, “I can’t ask Rashford or Garnacho to do what Bernardo does when he plays as a winger.“

The United captain said that Bernardo knows how to be between the lines. Pep Guardiola, who sometimes deploys the diminutive playmaker deeper, as a central midfielder rather than a winger, took advantage of his versatility. Strikingly, the last player at Old Trafford to alternate between the midfield and wings at a high level was Juan Mata.

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Such tactical nuances have resulted in Manchester City getting the better of their opponents recently. In the last six games between the teams, the Sky Blues have emerged victorious five times! But Bruno Fernandes and his side might soon get an opportunity to set the record straight.

Rejuvenated Manchester United could be in line for FA Cup final revenge

Against all odds, Bruno Fernandes and Co. knocked out Liverpool from the FA Cup. It sets them up for a semi-final encounter against Coventry City. The other match features Manchester City taking on Chelsea. The current form suggests that the final will be another Manchester Derby, just like the 2023 season.

In that game, ten Hag’s side were beaten 2-1. However, unlike that season, the current campaign was a brutal one for the Red Devils. Everybody expected them to go trophyless after getting grouped in the UCL. But out of nowhere, Manchester United has risen like a phoenix from the ashes and genuinely looks like a team united. Hence, this time around, a potential FA Cup final against Ten Hag’s men could be a much trickier encounter for Pep Guardiola’s side.

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