Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim heaped praise on star midfielder Bruno Fernandes after Sunday's draw with Arsenal, saying "We need more Brunos!".
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Fernandes scored opener25th goal involvement of the seasonAmorim full of praiseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Amorim's comments come after another match in which Fernandes shone, with the Portugal international's stunning free-kick helping him reach 25 goal contributions in a season for the third year running. It's no secret that the Red Devils need more players to replicate Fernandes' level on a regular basis, and Amorim issued a post-match rallying cry asking his squad to step up to the plate.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Fernandes has been a key part of everything United have done well this season, but a lack of consistent quality elsewhere has left them languishing in the bottom half of the table with only 10 league games left. A serious shake-up is needed in the summer, and it remains to be seen whether Amorim will be able to keep hold of his star man without European football on offer.
WHAT AMORIM SAID
"I will say, we need more Brunos," Amorim said post-match. "The character he has, the availability is so important and he is so decisive with and without the ball."
Discussing the fortunes of two promising younger players in Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro – the latter of whom went off injured against Arsenal – the United boss added: "Ayden is so relaxed, sometimes he is too relaxed. I think we have a player there that we have to control. Leny has something in his foot. We will see if he is available for Thursday."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
It's a return to Europa League last-16 action for United on Thursday, as Amorim's team hosts La Liga outfit Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. The Basque side comes into the clash on level-pegging after playing out a 1-1 first-leg draw that caused the Red Devils boss to admit his players were "anxious" in front of goal. He'll be desperate for that to change during the return leg.