Manama, Mar.10 (BNA): Chants of “Bruno! Bruno!” reverberated around Old Trafford as the healing process began for Manchester United.
The wounds from Sunday’s humiliating 7-0 rout by Liverpool remain fresh. But a 4-1 win against Real Betis in the Europa League was an encouraging response from Erik ten Hag’s players.
None more so than Bruno Fernandes, who scored one and had a role in two more in the round-of-16 first leg on Thursday, reports AP.
The Dutchman had given his team the chance to begin making amends for Anfield by naming an unchanged lineup. It had the desired effect. Marcus Rashford scored his 26th goal of the season.
Antony swept a shot into the top corner from distance. And Wout Weghorst, who had faced a backlash on social media for touching the famous “This is Anfield” sign, let his emotion show when firing in United’s fourth.
But perhaps no one needed redemption more than Fernandes, who received the brunt of the criticism after the collapse against Liverpool. On this occasion his efforts were greeted with approval by United fans as well as Ten Hag.
The Portugal international raced toward the Stretford End after heading United into a 3-1 lead in the 58th minute and placed his hands over his ears as if to shut out the noise that has followed Sunday’s loss.
There was a moment when he let his enthusiasm overflow with a late challenge on Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, but this was night when he channeled his passion in the right way by putting United within reach of the quarterfinals.
Former United captain and now TV analyst Gary Neville had labeled Fernandes’ performance against Liverpool a “disgrace.” Against Betis he was United’s driving force.
Source: Bahrain News Agency