What does Bruno think about the play-offs draw?
Bruno Fernandes is unconcerned by the fact Manchester United will face an eliminated Champions League side in the Europa League knockout round play-offs.
Erik ten Hag’s men faced Real Sociedad on Thursday evening with a clear mission: win by two clear goals to top the group and progress to the last-16 stage.
A 1-0 victory was ultimately earned in Spain via an Alejandro Garnacho goal, but it was not enough to finish first and the Reds will now enter Monday’s Europa League draw for the play-offs.
The rules of this last-32 stage are simple, with the eight second-placed Europa League teams drawn against eight eliminated sides from the Champions League. It means there are two additional fixtures to navigate, but that isn’t an issue when the potential ties are so attractive and competitive.
In case you didn’t already know, United’s potential opponents are Ajax, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus, RB Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bruno’s former club Sporting.
A 1-0 victory was ultimately earned in Spain via an Alejandro Garnacho goal, but it was not enough to finish first and the Reds will now enter Monday’s Europa League draw for the play-offs.
The rules of this last-32 stage are simple, with the eight second-placed Europa League teams drawn against eight eliminated sides from the Champions League. It means there are two additional fixtures to navigate, but that isn’t an issue when the potential ties are so attractive and competitive.
In case you didn’t already know, United’s potential opponents are Ajax, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus, RB Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bruno’s former club Sporting.
Bruno points to the positives in Spain Video
Bruno points to the positives in Spain
In our interview, Bruno Fernandes assesses the performances and points to the positives in San Sebastian...
In our post-match interview in San Sebastian, when asked about the challenge of facing such opposition, Fernandes said: “That is not a problem, that is not a problem.
“Because this team is pleased to do that kind of games. We are ready to play wherever the opponent is, we are ready for everything, but our main focus, as I said before, has to be the league.
“We have a big game to carry the momentum and we have to win that game.”
“Because this team is pleased to do that kind of games. We are ready to play wherever the opponent is, we are ready for everything, but our main focus, as I said before, has to be the league.
“We have a big game to carry the momentum and we have to win that game.”
The big game that Fernandes refers to is Aston Villa away on Sunday afternoon and Bruno is unfortunately suspended after picking up five yellow cards in the Premier League.
When asked how the squad is handling the Thursday-Sunday schedule, he joked: “I will find it easy because I am not playing on Sunday [laughs], but I hope that my team-mates will be ready for that.
“It is about resting, getting the most of this time to rest the body to be ready for Sunday because it is not that long to the game. But hopefully everybody will be ready and we will win the game.”
When asked how the squad is handling the Thursday-Sunday schedule, he joked: “I will find it easy because I am not playing on Sunday [laughs], but I hope that my team-mates will be ready for that.
“It is about resting, getting the most of this time to rest the body to be ready for Sunday because it is not that long to the game. But hopefully everybody will be ready and we will win the game.”
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