Date of publication: Monday 22 June 2020 at 10:25
Jamie Redknapp thinks Marcus Rashford and the other Man Utd strikers may be frustrated by Bruno Fernandes, but would urge any young midfielder to “study” the Portuguese international.
Fernandes was one of the best interpreters of the Red Devils in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Friday evening with the midfielder taking the tie off the penalty spot.
The former Sporting Lisbon man scored four goals and provided his teammates with four assists in ten games since his arrival in Man Utd in January and Redknapp has started writing bad words about the 25-year-old.
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“My advice to all the young, aspiring midfielders out there would be to study Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes,” said Redknapp at Daily mail.
“See how it hits the ball when shooting from afar. See how it creates such a drop and turn that makes your shots more difficult to stop. It is unconventional and not a stroke of luck. It is done by design in order to make the goalkeeper more difficult.
“The moment Fernandes catches the ball, he doesn’t delay and doesn’t even look sideways. Instead, watch how he can create an opportunity to score an immediate goal or, better yet, shoot himself.
“Frank Lampard was the same, which is why Chelsea’s current manager holds the highest-ranked midfielder record in Premier League history. It comes with a lot of practice and repetition on the training ground. Half a meter, shoot. Half a meter, shoot. Half a meter, shoot.
“It could frustrate your attackers on the day of the game. Perhaps there will be times when Marcus Rashford says he was in a better position and should have been played. Perhaps Fernandes will be accused of greed on the strange occasion.
“But it will be worth it for his return to goal. In 2018-19, Fernandes’ last full season for Sporting Lisbon scored 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 games. This is what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants from him now. United wants those numbers and wants to see a fruitful collaboration form with Paul Pogba. “
