We have to protect David, says Bruno

The Spaniard made several world-class saves during the first half of the Manchester derby, but Eric Bailly’s own goal and a Bernardo Silva effort consigned the Reds to a disappointing 2-0 defeat.

De Gea was probably United’s standout performer, as he has been many times this season, on a day the visitors dominated and Fernandes recognises this, suggesting the scoreline would have been much worse had it not been for David.

“It’s always a bad time to concede a goal but the problem is the way we concede goals. It’s too easy,” admitted Fernandes after the final whistle, in an interview with club media.

“As I said, many, many times, if not for David, the result could be much higher and worse for us.

“We have to protect David better. Because he is protecting us a lot and we have to help him. He cannot make, every game, eight [or] nine saves and still concede goals.”

As with the Liverpool game a fortnight ago, the Old Trafford crowd backed their side until the end and Fernandes paused to thank them for their efforts.

“We just have to apologise to the fans and that’s it,” our no.18 added. “It was not good enough from us.

“It was a great atmosphere they created and they pushed us until the end.

“They gave that energy to us but, from us, it was not enough.”

It’s two weeks until United are next in action, with a trip to Watford in the Premier League closely followed by clashes with Villarreal and Chelsea.

A number of players will now leave Manchester for their respective countries, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, and Bruno admits that, while it will be a difficult two weeks, we just have to get on with it and make sure we’re prepared for the visit to Vicarage Road on 20 November.

“Yeah, it will be long but now it’s time for everyone to focus on the national team.

“The ones who stay here try to work hard, recover well and be ready for the games that are coming.”