Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is confident skipper Bruno Fernandes will get the help he needs at Old Trafford this season.

Far too often last campaign, Fernandes – who was deservedly named the club’s player of the year – was alone in carrying United’s attacking threat.

At the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday, it was tempting to think nothing had changed as he scored both goals in his side’s 2-1 win over West Ham in their first Premier League Summer Series outing.

But there was a subtle change.

Matheus Cunha was also demanding the ball and trying to threaten the Hammers goal. When he is fully fit and ready to join his new team-mates during a game, Amorim believes £65m new-boy Bryan Mbeumo will do the same.

“He will have more help this season,” said Amorim.

“It’s impossible to play all the positions. Last year I felt sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and then we missed Bruno near the box.

“Cunha and Bryan have different characteristics.”

It was Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag who launched a fierce defence of Fernandes when his role as captain was questioned after his emotional response during the infamous 7-0 hammering at Liverpool in March 2023.

The 30-year-old’s critics believe the flaws in his character remain.

However, Amorim shares the same view as Ten Hag – that Fernandes is a true leader.

“He’s our leader, not just on the field, but also off it,” United boss said.

“He leads by example. He works really hard and is always available. Sometimes he plays with pain.

“The problem is sometimes he gets frustrated and loses the focus on his job a little bit.

“Sometimes he wants to help his team-mates so much but it’s not the best thing to do.

“They have to learn and they have to do their job. Bruno has to wait for the ball.”