The debate around Rúben Amorim’s tactics at Manchester United has intensified, with Owen Hargreaves adding fuel to the fire by suggesting key positional changes.
Hargreaves believes Bryan Mbeumo should lead the line as striker instead of Benjamin Šeško, while Bruno Fernandes should be restored to his natural No.10 role—a role that has defined his career at Old Trafford.
There is a compelling case to be made for Hargreaves’ viewpoint. Mbeumo, while not a traditional striker, brings dynamism, movement, and pressing energy that could suit Amorim’s high-intensity system. Šeško, although promising, has struggled with consistency in front of goal, and his adaptation to the Premier League has not been seamless. Playing Mbeumo centrally would allow United to stretch defenses with his pace, while also creating space for wingers and late runners from midfield. It would be a tactical tweak that prioritizes flexibility over rigid structure.
As for Bruno Fernandes, his shift away from the No.10 role has been one of the most controversial aspects of Amorim’s reign. While Amorim prefers him in deeper or wider roles to accommodate fluid rotations, Bruno’s greatest strengths remain his creativity, vision, and ability to unlock defenses from central areas. Restricting him diminishes United’s attacking spark, especially at a time when goals have been hard to come by.
However, Amorim’s supporters argue that his system—built around pressing and balance—requires compromise. Šeško’s physical presence suits Amorim’s pressing triggers, and moving Fernandes could help stabilize midfield transitions. But the evidence so far suggests United are not getting the best out of their biggest names.
On balance, Hargreaves has a point: unlocking Fernandes in his best position and experimenting with Mbeumo as a striker could be the bold change United need to reignite their season.
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