Thread by @smarterscout

🚨 THE SMARTERSCOUT MEGA BRUNO THREAD 🚨

Bruno Fernandes 🇵🇹 is coming to save #ManUtd. Let's start with his ratings using a Premier League standard at CAM – great attacking output, so-so ball retention, average in duels, doesn't defend much, great finisher:

1/x

And here's how Bruno looks at CM, where he used to play a bit more often. Again, fantastic attacking output, but his ball retention, defending output, and skill in duels all look weaker when judged against Premier League CMs. Maybe he's best at CAM.

2/x

If we look at Bruno's smartermaps at CAM and CM, the first thing that stands out is pitch coverage. Dude is everywhere. And he takes corners on both sides, too. But he uses the channels more than the middle of the pitch – how does that square with #ManUtd's current style?

3/x

Bruno's style has evolved over time at both positions. At CAM, he's been shooting less of late and doing more with his passing, which is very aggressive. He's had fewer ball recoveries and disruptions of opposition moves lately – he may have to kick it up again in the Prem.

4/x

And here's how Bruno's style has changed at CM. Again, fewer successful defensive actions per minute out of possession and less shooting. He doesn't change how he plays very much based on the depth of his position.

5/x

If we look for players with a similar style to Bruno's at CAM in the top two tiers of English football, these are the closest matches. Mount is a smarterscout young prospect but doesn't have Bruno's attacking output yet. Sigurdsson hasn't been shooting as much as he used to!

6/x

Let's do the same search at CM, in case Solskjaer decides to use Bruno there. Here are the closest matches to his style and a side-by-side comparison. De Bruyne, Maddison... that's excellent, but also note that their ball retention is much higher.

7/x

Lastly, let's take a look at where Bruno might fit in at #ManUtd. With Pogba injured, they haven't had a real CM, so Bruno could allow for a different formation. But because he goes wide so much, would it make sense to play two up front? We're eager to see what happens!

8/8 😃👍