Manchester: Erik Ten Haag was all praises for his captain Bruno Fernandes after he helped the team win 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League tie at Old Trafford to Real Betis.
The players were up for it and were determined to prove a point after their humiliating loss against Liverpool last Sunday. Ten Hag was happy with the overall display.
The game at Old Trafford
Manchester United cruised to a 4-1 win at Old Trafford against Real Betis. United got their goals through Marcus RashfordAntony, Bruno Fernandes, and Wout Weghorst, who scored his second goal in a United shirt.
The Red Devils have now put themselves in a commanding position with the second leg in Spain just seven days away. United finished the game with 57% possession to Betis’s 43% share of the ball.
Erik ten Hag’s men registered 25 shots with 13 being on target. In comparison, Betis had six shots, with only two requiring David De Gea to intervene. United made 481 passes with a success rate of 81%. Betis made 372 passes with a pass accuracy of 73%.
Bruno Fernandes’s spectacular game
One of United’s best performers was Bruno Fernandes, The Portuguese had 95 touches of the ball to his name. During the 90 minutes he was on the pitch, Fernandes completed 54 passes.
Restored to his preferred number 10 position, the 28-year-old won five ground duels from the middle of the park. He also made five key passes in what was an incredible attacking showing from him.
Fernandes completed three crosses. Out of the two dribbles he attempted, the United captain successfully completed both – a 100% success rate.
Fernandes also created two big chances from his playmaking role. The player capped off his display with one goal and one assist.
Ten Haag’s Comments after the game.
I think we played a very good game. We should’ve been up 3-0 at half-time but it was 1-1, and we got punished for one mistake. But second half especially we played well.”
“I wasn’t happy with the performances against Newcastle and Leicester. Sometimes it takes a bad result to open everyone’s eyes. We scored some good goals, we gave the fans something to support and they gave it back so we are very grateful.”
Ten Hag went on to praise Bruno Fernandes who had a stellar game. He had been criticized heavily after the Liverpool result.
He was brilliant today. He lead the team from the first minute, in possession he controlled the rhythm of the game and scored a goal.”
Finally, the United boss lauded Facundo Pellistri for his brilliant cameo off the bench to help kill the game “When we bring the last two subs on, we make it 4-1. Great action from Pela!”
