Jesse Lingard must usurp Bruno Fernandes in the Manchester United starting XI for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
That is the verdict of Tony Cascarino, who claims Fernandes poses a “huge problem” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to his lack of defensive efforts.
The Portuguese playmaker is United’s second-top assister this season with five and he has created a phenomenal 3.23 chances per 90 minutes.
He has also chipped in with four goals and he has made the most appearances of any player in the squad (13), further highlighting his vast importance to the team.
But former Chelsea striker Cascarino has serious concerns about Fernandes’ work off the ball, declaring the 27-year-old is neglecting his duties as the “first line of defence in midfield”.
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(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
“The No 10 role can be a luxury for struggling teams and that is the case for United at present,” Cascarino told The Times .
” Bruno Fernandes does very little when he is not on the ball, and that is a huge problem given he should be providing United’s first line of defence in midfield.
“Fernandes does not try to stop attackers by winning the ball back. By contrast, Jesse Lingard makes the No 10 role work for his team, as he has shown at West Ham and in flashes since returning to his parent club this summer.”
Lingard revitalised his career with a sublime short-term loan at the London Stadium last season, scoring nine goals in 16 games for the Irons.
The 28-year-old returned to Old Trafford this summer to fight for a place in Solskjaer’s first XI, but opportunities have proved hard to come by for the England international.
Just one of Lingard’s seven appearances has been a start, which came in the 1-0 defeat by West Ham in the Carabao Cup in September.
Nonetheless, he has impressed when coming off the bench on multiple occasions, scoring twice and grabbing one assist.
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Lingard netted a late winner to break West Ham hearts in the Premier League and teed-up Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic 95th-minute strike against Villarreal.
However, Fernandes’ stranglehold on the attacking midfield berth means the United No 14 may struggle to earn the minutes he desires.
Lingard is out of contract next summer and reports last month claimed he will not be extending his deal with the Red Devils.
He has been on the club’s books since the age of seven and has made 217 senior appearances, scoring 35 goals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged to drop Bruno Fernandes due to “huge problem” at Man Utd
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