Ahead of their clash against Liverpool, Ruben Amorim has suggested that Bruno Fernandes could be replaced as Manchester United’s penalty taker in the future.
United travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on their arch-rivals in what could prove to be a pivotal Premier League clash.
Both sides need to improve their form, with even their most reliable players enduring a tough start to the season.
This includes Red Devils captain Fernandes, who is adjusting to playing in a deeper role under Amorim but has still managed to create the most chances in the Premier League.
However, one thing the attacking midfielder is struggling with is his spot-kicks, a great surprise given his sensational record from the penalty spot.
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The … has missed two of his three penalties so far this season, blazing the ball over the bar in the 1-1 draw with Fulham in August, before seeing a tame effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford in September.
Aside from when Cristiano Ronaldo briefly returned to Old Trafford, Fernandes has been United’s designated penalty taker since his joined the club in January 2020, scoring 39 of his 45 spot-kicks, excluding shootouts.
But given his recent misses, there has been speculation over whether or not he could pass the responsibility to a teammate, perhaps summer signing Bryan Mbeumo who boasted a brilliant penalty record at Brentford.
But Amorim insists he has not thought about switching his penalty taker, though did say that there were others in the squad who could step up to the mantle if needed.
‘I know that it’s not easy for him [Fernandes], but I think he has 70 penalties, and he misses like nine. Two with me, so I’m really annoyed with that,’ the head coach said in his pre-match press conference.
‘But he’s really confident. He’s training the penalties, he’s trying to understand that people are watching the way he scores the penalties. So, he’ll be ready.
‘He’s the main taker. He scores a lot of goals, penalty is passing [him at] this moment.
‘We have more guys also to score a penalty if he needs. Again, we can change, but I’m fully confident that Bruno will sort that out.’
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