Louis Saha fears the presence of Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo as a midfield pairing is creating more problems for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
United have endured a miserable start to the season which has left Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford under intense scrutiny during the international break.
Fernandes’ form has also suffered, failing to score in 11 appearances having also been sent off in two of his last three games – with the first of those against Tottenham later rescinded.
19-year-old Mainoo has been a fixture in midfield but Ten Hag has chopped and changed when it comes to picking his partner in the middle of the park.
Casemiro started the first three Premier League games of the season but has been a substitute since.
Manuel Ugarte, a £50million signing from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, struggled on his first league start against Tottenham and was also benched for the goalless draw against Villa.
Eriksen has started three of United’s last four league matches but Saha fears the Dane and Mainoo ‘do not have the legs’ to properly support Fernandes, also fearing ‘their positioning is not right’.
‘It could be a bit of bad luck that Bruno Fernandes hasn’t scored yet, he’s hit the bar, and these things happen,’ Saha told Paddy Power.
‘He doesn’t seem to be as confident, but also Manchester United’s tactics are a part of it. He hasn’t been helped and been given many passes by the wingers.
‘His talent does the talking – but when the talent doesn’t talk, you’ll find him struggling. His work rate has been the same, but the team aren’t linking up as well.
‘Some of those tactical choices in midfield – United have good players but they’re missing the legs.
‘Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen are good on the ball, but sometimes they play too deep and not close enough to the strikers.
‘They’re too far away and their positioning is not right – it’s a struggle to watch.’
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