Erik ten Hag disagrees with Paul Scholes after Man Utd legend's "problem" claim
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag appears to have solved the Bruno Fernandes issue that Paul Scholes claimed was a problem last season.
The Portugal international can often divide opinion as a result of his on-pitch conduct and tendency to make both officials and his team-mates well aware when he is frustrated with them. However, that was not what Scholes took issue with back in the second-half of last season.
What left the United legend frustrated was how often Fernandes seemed to veer away from the tactics and end up in different areas of the pitch where he wasn't able to influence as much as normal. Scholes lost patience with the United vice-captain following a 1-1 home draw against Southampton back when the Red Devils were under the reign of Ralf Rangnick.
Speaking while on punditry duty for BT Sport, Scholes suggested Fernandes was becoming a headache for then-boss Rangnick.
"We don't know what's gone on in the training field, you don't know the attitude of the players," the former United star pondered.
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"He [Rangnick] tried to start with a 4-3-3, Scott [McTominay] holding and Fernandes and [Paul] Pogba playing higher up. Then he brought Pogba back and shoved Fernandes higher up, I think Fernandes could be a bit of a problem.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Was Scholes' assessment of Fernandes fair at the time? Comment below
Bruno Fernandes has 10 goals and 12 assists this season across all competitions (Michael Regan/Getty Images)"As much as he's a talented lad, when he first came to England he scored so many good goals, so many assists, but he's all over the football pitch."
His scathing review didn't end there, with Scholes later adding: "You see Fernandes, sometimes he's a right-back, sometimes left-back, the end of the game he's playing behind [Diogo] Dalot for five minutes.
"They're either not taking instructions on or they don't want to."
Just over a year later, under the instructions of a new manager, Fernandes has shown far more tactical discipline with Ten Hag at the helm and in turn has come in for huge praise from his boss.
Earlier this month after a dominant Europa League display against Real Betis, Ten Hag waxed lyrical and praised Fernandes' versatility.
"He was the best player on the pitch and it showed his personality. He played in a little bit of a deeper role tonight, he was brilliant," said the Dutchman.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has sung the praises of Bruno Fernandes many times this season"He was a leader in playmaking from deep and controlling the rhythm of the game. He had a lot of good passes in between the lines and from there-on we created a lot of chances.
"He led the team from the first minute by his game, with possession, make the rhythm of the game and score a goal so I'm happy."
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Hardly the comments of someone who would regard Fernandes as a "problem".
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