Lee Sharpe believes Bruno Fernandes is a liability in new Amorim role

The residue from the Manchester derby is still hanging heavy over Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim’s side went down to their local rivals at the Etihad in a timid and tame manner come 6:30pm on Sunday in a performance that only deepened concerns over the direction of the team. Amorim’s system is being dissected by pundits and supporters alike, with particular attention falling on his decision to keep academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo out of the starting XI.

We caught up with former United winger Lee Sharpe, who gave his take on the club’s struggles — from the midfield balance to the goalkeeper situation — and why United look so lost under Amorim.

Sharpe struggles to see where United can improve

United now face another stern test with six days to prepare for Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford. The fixture also brings the return of Alejandro Garnacho, now in Chelsea blue after his £40m summer switch. For Amorim, it already feels like a must-not-lose game — but in truth, only a win would significantly relieve the pressure.

Chelsea themselves have made a steady, if unspectacular, start to the season, with two wins and two draws in the league. Sharpe warns that they’re more than capable of exposing United’s flaws.

"Probably not the start they were looking for, Chelsea. But they're a really good side and they'll cause Man Utd a few problems."

"I think the best thing you can wish for, generally United in the big games, do to turn up and put on a performance and you hope that they can do that against Chelsea."

Sharpe’s concern is less about United’s talent on paper and more about their fragility when things go against them.

"If Chelsea go ahead early then you fear for what could happen. Man Utd start chasing the game, gaps open like they did against City and it becomes a 3-0 or 4-0."

"It's hard to put your finger on how they're going to put it right because the lineup seems pretty solid. Defensively with five at the back you'd think it would be pretty stable and it's just not."

"I don't know where he goes from here. I like the bloke, I like the way he talks but it's just not conveying with the performances on the pitch. It's a weird thing at the moment."

Is Fernandes a liability in his new role?

One of Amorim’s more surprising decisions in the derby was to start Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes as the central midfield pairing, leaving Mainoo on the bench until the second half. The teenager looked like one of United’s brighter sparks when he came on, underlining his case for more minutes.

Mainoo has already made it clear that he wants regular football this season, with reports suggesting he was open to a loan before the transfer window closed. Amorim’s reluctance to use him only fuels speculation about his future.

Sharpe, however, believes Mainoo should be central to the side, and argues Fernandes is being misused to the point of becoming a liability.

"I think Kobbie Mainoo is an unbelievable talent and a fantastic player. My only question would sort of be, has he got the physical attributes to get around as a No. 8?"

"If you place someone next to him that can do that, I think he's got the ability to be able to turn defence into attack. He's got loads of ability, skill on the ball. I think he should be playing. I really do think he should be playing."

"I don't think Bruno is a No. 8. I think he's a bit of a liability when he's there. I think he loses a bit of discipline and starts running around and leaving gaps. He gives the ball away cheaply in poor areas at times. I know he produces magic at the other end of the pitch at times but I really don't think he's a No. 8 and I think Kobbie should be in there, just for his ability."

"If you put in Ugarte, I don't think you'd probably play Fernandes with him because between the two of them, they're probably not defensive enough and not solid enough. But I think you could probably play Ugarte or Casemiro with Mainoo."

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Sharpe also floated some attacking alternatives, particularly around Joshua Zirkzee, who has yet to cement his place.

"Two in midfield just makes it difficult for whoever you're playing against, when you're playing against teams that generally play three in there. I just think it is really difficult.”

"I think it would be a poor decision if they sold Kobbie Mainoo because I think he's such a good player and you need to build teams around a player like him, work on his strengths and try and make the most of them instead of leaving him vulnerable."

"But I also think Zirkzee should be getting games. I'm a big fan of Zirkzee and I think he should have played instead of Amad in the No. 10 role. Or even play instead of Sesko because I don't think he's quite up to speed yet."

"I know he needs time to get up to speed with the Premier League and I think it could be killing his confidence, the way they've thrown him in at the moment."

United’s goalkeeper dilemma is far from solved

Further back, the goalkeeper issue persists. United loaned out Andre Onana after a string of high-profile mistakes, replacing him with Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. Lammens joins Altay Bayindir, who himself has struggled since arriving last season.

Sharpe is far from convinced that either man is the answer.

"Bayindir, I don't think he's good enough to be Man Utd's goalkeeper. I think he, again, has made mistakes already this season. The Arsenal game, I don't think he was strong enough."

"I don't know what he's like in training but I don't think he'd be a bad No. 2 goalkeeper."
"I don't know if Lammens will be good enough to play first team straightaway."

United had also been linked with Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, and Sharpe believes passing him up was a costly mistake.

"I was a bit disappointed they didn't get Martinez from Villa as I think he would have been able to cope with the pressure and help the backline and bring something of a big personality and a big winner to the dressing room."

"The new goalkeeper is a young lad. It's a big weight on your shoulders to come in and be the No. 1 goalkeeper at Man Utd."

"We don't know until he's put in. Will they put him in against Chelsea and risk him?"

"I just don't think Bayindir is the answer. He's too weak at times and they definitely need a stronger character in there."

United’s defeat in the derby didn’t just highlight their gulf to Manchester City — it also exposed the fragility of Amorim’s current system, from midfield selection to defensive solidity to the uncertainty in goal. With Chelsea up next, the pressure is mounting quickly.

For Sharpe, the solutions are to trust the talent of Mainoo, give Zirkzee a run, and secure a commanding goalkeeper. However, whether Amorim will be afforded the time to act on this remains to be seen.

Read more as Lee Sharpe gives his thoughts on the future of Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim