Bruno Fernandes' unusual style poses a tactical puzzle for Man Utd and Ten Hag

In the 81st minute, Bruno Fernandes tried to win the game for Manchester United. It was a maneuver that people at Old Trafford have become accustomed to since his arrival in January 2020 – Fernandes spends large parts of a game looking out of form until the ball falls to him in the final third and he makes a deadly pass or takes a good shot on goal.

In the 1-1 draw with Twente last night in United's Europa League opener, Fernandes had one of the these games.

His first touch was off. His passes were not of the same quality as usual. Lacking explosive speed or good dribbling, he struggled to get the ball out from under his feet and into areas where he could hurt the Dutch team.

But when Noussair Mazraoui stormed in with nine minutes to go and took the ball from Sayfallah Ltaief on the edge of the Twente penalty area, that frustration gradually disappeared.

Things got even better when Manuel Ugarte passed the ball to Fernandes, who had a good chance to shoot. The 30-year-old tried to fire his shot into the far corner of Lars Unnerstall's goal, but it went just wide. After his miss, United's captain collapsed to his knees, screamed to the heavens and sank further to the turf. He needed the intervention of Mason Mount to pick him up and start again.

Fernandes has helped United win for four and a half seasons and, heading into his fifth full season at Old Trafford, he needs more help.

He continued his mediocre start to the 2024–25 season in the first of United's eight Europa League games over the next four months, losing the ball 19 times and creating just one chance. The team around him fared little better and were out of form for most of the game.

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Christian Eriksen's brilliant finish gave them a first-half lead, but he was then involved in a bizarre defensive sequence that allowed Sam Lammers to equalise in the second half, continuing a worrying trend for United, who have not won in Europe since a nerve-wracking 1-0 victory over Copenhagen last October – their only win in nine Champions League/Europa League games.

The new, revised Europa League format means this draw can be described as disappointing rather than disastrous, but the club has failed to win its opening game in European competitions for the past four years. Opposing teams have played against United knowing that if they can hold their nerve in defence and counter quickly, they have a chance.

After the final whistle, the 4,000 travelling fans celebrated the draw as if it were a victory. The Eredivisie team's analysts punched the air and hugged each other in joy.

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“We wanted more, but in the end it was nowhere near good enough,” Eriksen told TNT Sports, the British broadcaster of the match. “They (Twente) seemed to want it more than we did and that can't be right.”

Erik ten Hag's team has put the injury-related counterattack chaos of the 2023/24 season behind them, but long-standing problems remain.

United's midfield is a curiosity that no combination of available players can solve. Goals seem hard to come by and new signing Joshua Zirkzee failed to convert several crosses last night. Ten Hag has a number of talented wingers but United are often at a loss when it comes to breaking through deep defensive blocks. The 2024-25 season is still young enough to make corrections but United have emerged victorious from 10 of their last 25 games.

Fernandes has not been at his best this season (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“We are very ambitious and when you are ambitious you have to perform and prove yourself,” said Ten Hag, who began his playing career at Twente and played three times for them before becoming a coach in their academy. “And especially in the second half we were too relaxed, too complacent. We didn't make it over the finish line and as a team you have to deliver.”

This brings us back to Fernandes, a player who used to be able to help United win but currently seems unable to do so. His unusual style of play presents Ten Hag with a tactical dilemma. His risky but rewarding passing style often gives him control of the game to score extra goals. But his ability to create something out of nothing means the Dutchman – like United managers before him – opts against substituting him early.

When Fernandes signed his last contract in August, The athlete predicted a time when United would rely on him to a lesser extent as the club stabilises and becomes more functional. The start of this season threatens to suggest the opposite – United need another herculean effort just as he is flagging after hitting thirty this month.

Few will blame the playmaker for his slow start to the new season, as he has played more than 20,000 minutes for United. But if he cannot match the highs of yesterday, it will be up to his manager to find new solutions. Mount and Eriksen can be capable deputies in the No.10 position, as can Amad if needed. There is still the option of using Zirkzee in midfield or on the wings, with Rasmus Hojlund further forward.

For United, the season hinges on things clicking and coming together at some point, but if teams can disrupt the flow by being very physical, Ten Hag's men may have to settle for another year in the Europa League in 2025/26 rather than qualifying for the Champions League.

It could take until the end of January for the impact of this tie to be truly felt when they play their final two league games, and United and Ten Hag will hope to be in a much better position by then.

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(Top photo: Fernandes shows his frustration at the draw against Twente. Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)