Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, with their season hanging in the balance
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has suggested playing Bruno Fernandes in a couple of unfamiliar positions against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
The Reds have travelled to Bilbao on Tuesday ahead of the big clash with Spurs. Both teams know that the winner of the final will book their place in next season's Champions League while the loser faces the reality of no European football in 2025/26.
United's key player will undoubtedly be Fernandes. The captain has managed 19 goals and 19 assists this season and has adapted well to the No.10 position in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.
But writing in his TNT Sports column, Scholes has suggested moving Fernandes to open up space for two of his teammates to feature at the San Mames Stadium. "I would try and start Amad and [Alejandro] Garnacho in the final because they're United's two biggest goal threats, along with Bruno Fernandes," the former midfielder explained.
"The best way might be to drop Fernandes back in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro, which has worked well in the past, especially in European games. I think Amorim will start [Rasmus] Hojlund in the final because he hasn't been too bad in the Europa League.
"He's looked like a real threat and scored some important goals, but in the Premier League, he's been really poor. If Amorim wanted to change things up, he could play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine just like Erik ten Hag did in last season's FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
"I know he's tried Kobbie Mainoo in that position too, but I don't think he's suited to it and Fernandes is a bit more mobile. With Fernandes playing as a false centre-forward, you could also start with Casemiro and [Manuel] Ugarte in central midfield.
"There are plenty of selection dilemmas for Amorim, but I just hope he gets it right. The problem is the manager doesn't know what he's going to get from most of his players on the day."
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