Bruno Fernandes suggested pressure is not a burden but rather something he enjoys following the Reds' fine 3-0 away win over Athletic Club at San Mames.
Our no.8 felt the wrath of a vociferous atmosphere in the Basque Country for the first leg of our Europa League semi-final, along with the continued responsibility he carries when it comes to scoring and creating goals for this Manchester United side - particularly as he stepped up from the penalty spot in the first half.
It's a feeling that only helps the skipper to thrive, though, as he delivered another Man-of-the-Match performance as we took control of our last-four tie, heading into next week's second leg at Old Trafford with a three-goal advantage.
Of course, his conversion from the penalty spot was successful, and he followed up with his second and United's third by the interval, with another cool strike beyond Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala.
“You need to grow and understand where you are, the place you play for and club you play for,”
Bruno told UK broadcaster TNT Sports after full-time in northern Spain.
“United is a global club, it’s unbelievable the attention we get, the pressure we get, everything.
”But it’s football, it’s what we love to do. I feel the pressure with every penalty, I feel the pressure.
“I think that's the good thing about football, it’s what we have to enjoy because when I finish my career that pressure will go away and I will be much more relaxed.”
Approaching 40 goal contributions for the season (he's currently on 19 goals and 18 assists) - as pointed out by former Red Rio Ferdinand on the TNT panel - Bruno wants expectations to remain high of his performances.
“I want to score, I want to assist,”
continued the Portuguese magnifico.
“It’s a big part of my game, I need to take that responsibility because I know since I came to the club, and even before, the club bought me because I scored 32 goals in one season.
”They knew I could create, I could score, and I just need to keep delivering, because if you want to be at the highest level, you have to keep delivering.“
It wasn't the only kind of pressure United faced on the night, as a raucous atmosphere was delivered inside San Mames - just the kind that Bruno relishes.
“You can never predict a scoreline like that - a very tough team, the atmosphere was unbelievable,”
Bruno added.
“I knew they [Athletic fans] were very passionate about the club and everything but I never thought it was like this, it was very good, but I love these atmospheres, I love to play in these kind of stadiums, it’s very good.
”The result for us is unbelievable. We could in the first half get that result and then in the second half control the game. I think we should push a little bit more in the second half, be that little bit quicker on the ball to go forward, but we controlled the game and that is good.“
So will United be back in Bilbao for the showpiece final in three weeks' time? Rio also put that question to Bruno...
”That’s the goal - and that’s what I said, we want our fans to travel to Bilbao twice, and ourselves, too.“