Clinton Morrison believes Brazil should start Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes at the World Cup. He feels the midfielder will give the side more than Fred of Manchester United.
Selecao boss Tite has held Guimaraes to a bit-part role at Qatar 2022 thus far. The 25-year-old made his 10th cap from the bench against Cameroon on Friday. He also featured for 35 minutes after playing none in a 2-0 win against Serbia and 32 in a 1-0 win over Switzerland.
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Fred had enjoyed his tournament debut from the bench against Serbia before starting ties with Switzerland and Cameroon. Yet Tite took the £61m Red Devils man off in each match for the Toon’s £41.5m star. Although Guimaraes could not stop a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.
Wins over Serbia and Switzerland had already secured Brazil a Round of 16 spot. They also still advanced from Group G as the top side on goal difference to Switzerland. The Selecao will now face South Korea on Monday aiming to reach an eighth consecutive quarter-final.
‘Outstanding’ Guimaraes should start for Brazil over Fred at the World Cup
Guimaraes likely did not travel to the World Cup with Brazil expecting to start, despite his strong form for Newcastle. The Rio de Janerio native has only started in two of his 10 caps to date. One of his starting calls also came in September 2021 while taken off at half-time.
Yet Morrison feels Brazil should start Guimaraes against South Korea as the Newcastle star will offer more than Fred can. He arrived in Qatar on the back of leading the Toon to third in the Premier League with three goals and two assists as the conductor of their midfield.
Fred, on the other hand, had only started four top-flight fixtures at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag this term. He has also offered Brazil a limited attacking presence at the World Cup so far. But his defensive traits have shone through marginally more to warrant two starts.
“Now, the people are saying that they want to see him [Guimaraes] in the team,” Morrison said on Sky Sports News (03/12, 08:06). “He plays more passes forward than Fred, who the manager likes a lot.
“But, for me, Bruno is a fantastic player. He had a great opportunity, though. I wanted him to score because I love him as a player. I think he’s outstanding.”
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