Bruno's praise for Donny
Bruno Fernandes has spoken of the excellent squad depth and quality at Manchester United, in the wake of our Emirates FA Cup win over Liverpool, and he reserved special praise for team-mate Donny van de Beek.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made five changes for the fourth-round tie, in which United progressed thanks to a 3-2 victory over our old foes.
Fernandes was among those named on the bench for the encounter as he was given a rare rest by the boss during such a hectic period.
However, our no.18 was introduced to the action in the second period and it was his late free-kick that ultimately decided the outcome of the game.
But, speaking after the match, Bruno was as humble as ever and highlighted the excellent team performance, as well as the importance squad depth is having on our superb form of late in the league and cup. And he revealed how impressed he's been by van de Beek.
Fernandes was among those named on the bench for the encounter as he was given a rare rest by the boss during such a hectic period.
However, our no.18 was introduced to the action in the second period and it was his late free-kick that ultimately decided the outcome of the game.
But, speaking after the match, Bruno was as humble as ever and highlighted the excellent team performance, as well as the importance squad depth is having on our superb form of late in the league and cup. And he revealed how impressed he's been by van de Beek.
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Bruno: I was confident stepping up
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“I think we have a really good team and a really good squad,” Bruno told club media. “You have options and I think if you look at the bench and the first XI, and the ones who are at home - we have a really good squad.
“I think it will not be a problem if we change the team, if someone is tired because we have really good players.
“You see today we have players like Donny [van de Beek] who was not playing for a while and he did a really great game for me. I think playing in the position I normally play in, watching him, I think he moves really good.
“[In the] first half he has a little more of the ball and he played really, really well. I think it’s important for us and for everyone to understand that everyone wants to play. Maybe if I was in the position of Donny, for example, I would not be happy at all. But the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and do the best he can and help the team.”
“I think it will not be a problem if we change the team, if someone is tired because we have really good players.
“You see today we have players like Donny [van de Beek] who was not playing for a while and he did a really great game for me. I think playing in the position I normally play in, watching him, I think he moves really good.
“[In the] first half he has a little more of the ball and he played really, really well. I think it’s important for us and for everyone to understand that everyone wants to play. Maybe if I was in the position of Donny, for example, I would not be happy at all. But the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and do the best he can and help the team.”
This week marks a year since Bruno signed for the Reds from Sporting Lisbon. While he hasn’t won a trophy in his first 12 months at Old Trafford, it’s something the midfielder is keen on rectifying by May.
United are still fighting for silverware on three fronts and Bruno was keen to highlight the significance of all competitions for Ole’s squad.
“They are all important for us,” he said. “We have to go in the same way, whatever competition you play. You play them to win, so it’s not different to play this one or the league.
“Of course, everyone knows winning the league is more special, but for us players it is about winning trophies. This is a trophy and we want to win.
“We are here for that,” he added, when asked about the congested fixture schedule. “We want to play… if you play every three days, it is because you are in lots of competitions and you have the chance to win trophies.”
United are still fighting for silverware on three fronts and Bruno was keen to highlight the significance of all competitions for Ole’s squad.
“They are all important for us,” he said. “We have to go in the same way, whatever competition you play. You play them to win, so it’s not different to play this one or the league.
“Of course, everyone knows winning the league is more special, but for us players it is about winning trophies. This is a trophy and we want to win.
“We are here for that,” he added, when asked about the congested fixture schedule. “We want to play… if you play every three days, it is because you are in lots of competitions and you have the chance to win trophies.”
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