boss Erik ten Hag praised Bruno Fernandes for the tactical role he played in Saturday’s win against and says the playmaker was his personal Man of the Match.
The Portuguese midfielder scored a controversial equaliser against ’s side when he latched onto ’s through ball, which had initially been played for Marcus Rashford, who was in an offside position.
Fernandes was selected to start from the right flank, with Christian Eriksen occupying Fernandes’ usual playmaking role. This afforded Ten Hag to pair Fred with Casemiro in central midfield.
Ten Hag wanted Fernandes’ defensive work from the right when United were without the ball but for the playmaker to shift inside once the side had possession.
Rashford recieved many of the plaudits for the winner he scored in the derby but Ten Hag says Frenandes was his Man of the Match.
‘The idea is with Bruno on the right wing and especially in defending,’ said Ten Hag.
‘We defended as usual, but in possession he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there and bring the opponent problems and create hesitation and confusion. I thought he played that role brilliantly.
‘The rest of the team adapted well to the situation and we had really good breaks by finding the free man. Bruno was an important factor in that role and important in the pressing as well. He was my man of the match, definitely.’
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