Manchester United won the much-needed first leg tie against Real Betis on Thursday night, with Bruno Fernandes at the helm as the Red Devils shipped in four excellent goals.
The Red Devils' stand-in captain, who was heavily criticized following the team's 7-0 loss on Sunday, was fielded in the same starting lineup alongside the rest of the players by manager Erik Ten Hag.
The number eight responded brilliantly with an all-round performance; he was involved in all four goals at Old Trafford and got himself a goal and an assist.
Erik Ten Hag was delighted with the 28-year-old, who rallied the rest of the players to give a perfect reaction to their weekend disappointment. “He was the best player on the pitch; it showed his personality," Erik Ten Hag stated after the game.
“He played a little deeper of a role tonight, and he was brilliant, making the game from the back in position and making a lot of good passes in between the lines." "From there, we created a lot of chances.”
However, the 28-year-old was lucky to have remained on the pitch after he left a foot late while going for a 50-50 challenge with Real Betis goalkeeper Bravo. He was anticipating to take advantage of a sluggish back pass from a Real Betis defender, but he was only successful in hitting the former Man City and Barcelona's shot stopper. He was cautioned by the match officials, but replays were calling for a send-off.
Erik Ten Hag has however sent a message of caution to Bruno Fernandes, stating he shouldn't let his passion get the better of him or else his opponent would exploit it as it could become his weakness.
Reacting to the incident, the United boss said: “It’s his strength and his passion, but you are right, sometimes he has to control that."
“He has to bring it; it is his strength, and when it’s too much, it becomes a weakness. That’s true; he knows that, and there are always small margins.”
However, Erik Ten Hag couldn't deny the fact that Bruno Fernandes gave a Man of the Match performance; of course, he was named at full time.
"He [Weghorst] was so close many times already, and he has created so many chances and goals for others by making space," he told MUTV.
"Now he has his goal [at Old Trafford], and he deserved it." For Bruno, I think he was brilliant today. He led the team by example from the first minute. "In possession, he made the rhythm of the game, and he scored a goal, so I am happy."
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