Why can’t Bruno Fernandes fire for Portugal? Cristiano Ronaldo could be reason behind Manchester United ace struggling at Euro 2020

Bruno Fernandes looks curiously out of form for Portugal at Euro 2020 and a shadow of the player we’ve seen this season at Manchester United.

Fernandes was underwhelming in the first two games for his country at the tournament as they beat Hungary but then lost 4-2 to Germany.

Getty

Fernandes has played 171 minutes at Euro 2020, but has no goals or assists

There was a lot riding on the finale to Group F, but manager Fernando Santos chose to drop the midfielder and play Renato Sanches in his place.

As usual, it was Cristiano Ronaldo to the rescue for his country as two spot-kicks helped them draw 2-2 and book a last-16 tie with Belgium.

Criticism of his performances in the first two games were not wholly unjustified. He was not playing to the levels we have seen him capable of at Man United over the last 18 months.

talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino said Fernandes looked ‘disinterested’ in the defeat to Germany, a performance that ultimately saw him dropped, while Jose Mourinho admitted it was like the midfielder wasn’t playing.

AFP

The Fernandes who plays for Man United is completely different to the one who plays for Portugal

In the Premier League last season, Fernandes was involved in 30 goals (scoring 18 and assisting another 12).

He was involved in a goal every 103 minutes, a little over one per game.

In his combined Portugal appearances over the last 12 months, he’s scored two goals and got one assist in 13 appearances.

Both of those goals came in friendlies and he is yet to get a goal or assist at Euro 2020.

So what is the problem for the 26-year-old? One suggestion is that Cristiano Ronaldo being the main man for Portugal is hindering Fernandes.

Getty

Ronaldo, rather than Fernandes, takes the penalties for Portugal

For United, the midfielder takes all the penalties and set pieces, giving him greater opportunity for goal involvements.

Portugal have so far had three penalties, all scored by Ronaldo. If Fernandes had been on penalty duty and scored all three, would the same conversations over his performances be had?

Andy Brassell told talkSPORT earlier this week: “He came to the press conference and talked to the media about his tournament between games one and two, so before the Germany game.

“He was asked a lot about the amount of football he’s played this season and said ‘I hope I’m the player with the most minutes at the end of the Euros’, which is cliched but totally sidestepping the fact he might be a bit tired and leggy.

“He was also asked a lot about who takes the free-kicks, he never gets the chance to take the set pieces because of a certain captain of the team.

“That’s the issue I think. He’s the leader on the pitch at Man United. At least for the moment, he can’t be with Portugal, which I think has an impact on him.”

Getty

Ronaldo is the main man for Portugal

Before Fernandes was dropped for the France game, Jose Mourinho told talkSPORT: “The reality is in these two matches he was not there. Portugal have three fantastic attacking players; Cristiano, Bernardo Silva and Jota. They are three very good players. We need that connection and until now, Bruno is not playing.

“We need Bruno Fernandes. We cannot have at this level, playing against top teams, we cannot play with ten and a half players, we need to play with 11.”

Fernandes is likely to remain out of the Portugal starting XI for their last-16 clash with Belgium on Sunday.

When discussing his team, Portugal boss Santos said: “We will play according to our principles. We may change some players.

“Last match, we changed some things but because we felt that thinking of the opponent, but not just that, and about ourselves.

“We wanted to establish our own pattern. I wanted to bring in new blood to the midfield section. Tomorrow, I don’t think that will be an issue because we have had plenty of rest over the past four days.”

Fernandes’ record for his country, just four goals in 32 games, has not reflected how brilliant he has been at club level.

The midfielder may just need to wait until Ronaldo retires to realise his potential for his country… but on current form that’s not happening any time soon.