Portugal manager gives honest take on Bruno Fernandes' performance vs Wales after position change

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has offered a frank assessment of Bruno Fernandes' outing against Wales, admitting his team "needed him more" during the Nations League clash.

Fernandes was deployed in an unfamiliar position during Portugal's 1-0 win over Wales on Thursday night.

The 32-year-old has thrived in the number 10 role for years, registering 111 goals and 106 assists across six seasons at Manchester United - an output that underlines his influence in central areas.

READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes has bizarre boot ritual that could explain why he is so good for Man Utd

For a period under Ruben Amorim, though, Fernandes was used in a number of different positions - including an inverted left winger - as the number 10 role didn't exist under the former United boss.

Now, eight months after Amorim's Old Trafford departure, Fernandes was once again deployed on the left-hand side by Jorge Jesus, who criticised parts of his captain's performance against Wales.

"Every game has its own story. With Ruben Amorim, he played like that. It's a position he knows perfectly," Jesus told RTP. "The only difference is that, defensively, he has to drop deeper."

"He could have been better with the ball," added Jesus. "The team needed him more."

Jorge Jesus believes there is more to come from Fernandes. Image credit: Getty

Bruno Fernandes breaks down his role in 1-0 win over Wales

After a first-half goal from Joao Felix gave Portugal all three points against Craig Bellamy's side, Fernandes explained what he was aiming to achieve while operating as more of an inverted playmaker.

"If you notice, I was rarely in the corridor," he began. "When defending, yes, I was there to track the full-back and press the full-back in higher moments on the pitch.

"Otherwise, it is very much about what the coach's idea is, which is to have a player inside who is capable of connecting the game, of dropping deep to play, of also serving as support for the striker and the second striker, creating a triangle in the middle and on the wings, helping in both parts.

"The coach asked me for this role for this game. He has already told me that I can play in different positions with him, so, for me, the most important thing is that what I do helps the team."

"I will always do the best of my abilities in any position the coach puts me in," added Fernandes.

Portugal will be hoping to secure another victory on Sunday (September 27), when they come up against Norway. A trip to Denmark then follows on Thursday (October 1).