STRETFORD, ENGLAND: Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes bounced back from Sunday’s record 7-0 Premier League humiliation at Liverpool as Erik ten Hag’s side beat Real Betis by 4-1 on Thursday.
United won their last-16 first-leg fixture at Old Trafford, placing one foot in the next round ahead of the return match in Seville next week.
The Spanish club were level at 1-1 at half-time as on-loan Leicester City forward Ayoze Perez equalised after Fernandes opened scoring. However, the hosts scored thrice in the second half as Marcus Rashford, Antony and Wout Weghorst also added their names to the scoresheet to make some amends for Sunday’s horrific defeat at Anfield last weekend.
A sigh of relief for Fernandes
The past few days had been tough for Fernandes after he was singled out for criticism more than most following the 7-0 defeat against Liverpool with his status as United’s stand-in captain being questioned as well.
But, the Portugal midfielder, who had the backing of manager Erik Ten Hag, repaid the faith with a performance to remind everyone about his importance.
Although, Thursday’s win was a huge moral booster but Ten Hag knows one win alone will not banish the memory of Sunday’s annihilation, especially as he had been irritated by some of his side’s performances preceding it, including the Carabao Cup final victory against Newcastle.
