United Briefing: What did the fans tell Bruno?

While our no.18 has become renowned for his incredible rate of scoring and assisting since joining the Reds last year, supporters have also noticed how much every United goal means to him.

And during a chat with club media’s Stewart Gardner, Bruno revealed what the club faithful said to him at the beginning of the pandemic last year.

“When you score you want to celebrate. Some players when they score they don’t have that feeling to celebrate because there is nobody there and we have to make our own way to celebrate and make the atmosphere happy when we score as if the fans were there,” he explained.

“One of the things the fans told me when we started to play behind closed doors is that when we score you need to celebrate like we are there with you. I’m trying to do that, sometimes it’s difficult because you are not in the mood and maybe you don’t feel it, but I’m trying to do it like they are there or if they are at home then they are feeling that I’m happy and I am with them.”

Fernandes has played just four matches in front of the Old Trafford crowd during his incredible first year as a Red. Asked whether he feels robbed of that thrill, particularly given some of the superb and vital goals he’s scored, he said: “No, just a little bit disappointed because, as I’ve said before, coming to the Premier League and coming to play for Manchester United, the atmosphere of the game day, I’m not living that at all.

“I’m feeling the support of them [the fans] on social media and when we can see them sometimes if I go to the supermarket and they say some words because we can’t be closer than that. It’s really good when you have that support and, of course, coming from the stands would be much better.”

Next up is a visit to West Brom on Sunday as the Reds look to keep up the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table. With 15 games left to play, the message from Fernandes is simple: just keep winning.

“I think if you want to do something special in the league and every competition you have to win your own games, and at the end you make the count [tally up the points],” said Bruno.

“You have the chance to win your own games and you can think that someone might drop points there or someone else will drop points here and maybe we go over [them] and we come back. No, if you win your games then the ones who are behind you will never catch you and the ones who are in front of you then if they drop points maybe you go closer.

“For me, it’s about being the best Man United we can. This is the main point – it’s about being the best Man United we can – so we have to look at ourselves.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be holding his usual pre-match press conference later today ahead of Sunday's trip to The Hawthorns. You'll be able to get the latest team news and the manager's thoughts on the game from 13:30 GMT by following live coverage on our official website and app and, of course, MUTV.

In the meantime, you can read our match preview for Sunday's Premier League clash against the Baggies and, if you didn't see it yesterday, check out this brilliant stats piece on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who both made their 250th appearances for the Reds in our FA Cup victory over West Ham.

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?

We found out our FA Cup quarter-final opponents – the Reds will face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the last eight. The tie will take place over the weekend of 20/21 March and consequently our Premier League away trip to Crystal Palace will be postponed. Elsewhere in the draw, Everton will welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park, Southampton travel to Bournemouth and Chelsea will host Sheffield United.

Lauren James released a powerful statement after receiving shocking racist abuse and we also assessed our record against Big Sam, ahead of Sunday's latest battle against him  at The Hawthorns.