Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has bizarrely suggested Bruno Fernandes’ latest penalty miss could have been a result of him starting in a deeper midfield role.
United fell to an abysmal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday afternoon as Ruben Amorim extended a desperately poor record of failing to win back-to-back games since taking the reins at Old Trafford in November last year.
The Bees found themselves two goals in front after 20 minutes with Igor Thiago capitalising on some wretched defending.
Benjamin Sesko pulled one back for the visitors six minutes later however with his first goal for the club, offering United some hope.
They were presented with the opportunity to draw level with Bryan Mbeumo was pulled back in the box by Brentford captain Nathan Collins.
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After a delay of almost fives minutes where officials decided not to send off the Republic of Ireland international, Fernandes stepped up and saw his tame effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
It was Fernandes’ second penalty miss this season having scored his last 18.
Brentford scored a third in injury time to condemn United to their third defeat in six league games.
Assessing Fernandes’ penalty, Hargreaves explained how Kelleher put the United skipper under pressure by holding his position on his line and not committing until the final moment.
The Portugal international has been dropped into a deeper midfield role this season with Hargreaves suggesting his role on the pitch could also have been a factor in his spot kick miss.
‘If the goalkeeper just waits as Kelleher does it puts pressure on Bruno under pressure and he ends up just passing it,’ Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.
‘That’s why I prefer the Harry Kane one where he whips it into the corner. If the goalkeeper waits it puts you under pressure to make a decision. Kelleher waits and reads it really well.
‘You just wonder for Bruno, is that because he is playing in that deeper midfield position? He’s not getting as many touches in the area where he can affect the game.’
Fernandes has started every game this season in a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte with Kobbie Mainoo unable to get into the team as a result.
Fernandes has been at his devastating best further up the pitch from the moment he arrived in Manchester in January 2020. Hargreaves insisted post-match the captain must return to his natural position where he can be his side’s best creative outlet.
‘I was certain they were going to win the game.’ Hargreaves continued. ‘They got outplayed and again, there are question marks over the goalkeeper.
‘Defensively they have actually been pretty good up to this point but today they weren’t. The midfield is still an issue, Bruno has got to be a 10 again, he’s the best creator, he has got to be a 10 again. Sesko scored which was the only positive for United today.’