Exclusive: Bruno's plan of attack

Between now and the mid-season break for the World Cup next month, Erik ten Hag's men face 12 games across three different competitions, starting with this evening's Europa League away game against Omonia Nicosia.

Fernandes says the players are relishing the challenges ahead and has stressed the importance of a positive run of form and results before the campaign is temporarily halted. 

During an exclusive chat with club media before the team flew out to Cyprus, Bruno discussed the threat posed by Omonia and the team's aims for the coming six weeks...

Bruno, after the setback last weekend, what’s the best possible reaction you and your team-mates can give this week?
"Obviously getting a good result. I think it’s always about that - getting a win straightaway and getting the confidence back. That’s the most important thing now."

I’m sure you’ll have seen a good reaction in training from everyone. How much are you all just looking forward to getting back out there on the pitch?
"Of course, everyone just wants to be playing again as soon as possible – we want and we need this reaction. And we have to show it [against Omonia]. That’s the most important thing – even if you do well in training, you have to show it in the games and I’m sure we’ll do it tomorrow."

What do you know of Omonia Nicosia? They’re yet to win a game in the group, but this will be a huge occasion for them…
"We know that they play really compact, they have a good team, a strong team with some quick players. We have watched videos of them in the Europa League, in the previous games, and they’re always tough to play against. It won’t be easy. They haven’t won yet and we hope that continues and we can defeat them and get three points which is the most important thing."

We won with a professional performance away at Sheriff. Did it feel like we were always in control and is that the ideal way to win away in Europe?
"Yeah, we have to control the games because we have the qualities to do that and I think we have to do more performances like [the one] against Sheriff, and I think we can score even more goals."

This is always an important time in the group with it being the double-header against Omonia, who come to Old Trafford next week. Do you see this as a key part of the group stage?
"For us, I think every game will be key because we lost the first one and we know how important it is to win the first game straightaway. We know what we have to do now which is winning every game that we have until the end of the group because we want to be first in the group."

It’s a long trip this week so is it good to have the game with Everton late on a Sunday to give you more recovery time?
"Yes, because normally in the last few years, we wouldn’t have had that much time to recover and they’d normally make us play at 12:30! Now we will have that time to recover to go to Everton, but the focus for now is on the next game in the Europa League."

This is the start of a hectic month of matches but is that a good thing, to allow you to really get into a rhythm?
"It’s always good, especially when you have a setback like we had against City, that you have the chance to respond straightaway on the pitch. It’s important to get the right spirit, the right mood and get back on the winning track."

Finally, how determined is everyone to make October a positive month with lots of games in different competitions to come?
"Of course, I think everyone is ready for this month and everyone knows that it will be a chance for everyone to play. We all have to be prepared because it will be a long month with a lot of games and important ones. We know that this month will also be important for what we want for the future in the league and Europa League, so it’s time to get on the winning track and don’t stop again."