Football

‘Old Trafford was bouncing’ – Man Utd star credits fans for Barcelona victory

February 24, 2023 10:00 am
‘Old Trafford was bouncing’ – Man Utd star credits fans for Barcelona victory

Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes said the club picks up results thanks to their supporters, with Old Trafford “bouncing” during last night’s win over Barcelona.

The midfielder wore the captain’s armband in the 2-1 Europa League play-off victory over the Spanish side in Manchester.

Erik ten Hag’s men went behind through a Robert Lewandowski penalty, but goals from Fred and Antony helped secure a win on the night and a 4-3 aggregate success.

Man Utd star credits fans for victory

Ten Hag has helped Man Utd turn Old Trafford into a fortress once again, with the Red Devils’ support undoubtedly key to such fine form.

And midfield maestro Fernandes has now paid tribute to the Old Trafford faithful, with the Portugal international suggesting that the fans were on another level during the victory over the La Liga outfit.

“They’ve been with us in the toughest moments,” said Fernandes, as per the Man Utd website. “This season, we’ve been really good because they’re always behind us, but this is something different, you can feel it between them and us.

“We have something special because they see we’re doing all we can to win games for them. Old Trafford was bouncing, that’s why we get results. We have made great comebacks – this is what the club is made of.”

Fred delighted with fan chant

Fernandes’ fellow midfielder Fred found the back of the net just two minutes after the restart, following a tactical switch from Ten Hag that saw Antony come on for Wout Weghorst at the break.

The goal was the Brazilian’s first in European competition since a double against Club Brugge almost three years ago, with the midfielder delighted to hear fans chanting his name after his crucial goal.

The midfielder also provided a brief analysis of the fine victory, as well as looking ahead to Sunday’s League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley.

“It’s very good to hear my name from the fans,” Fred said after the match. “It was a good game that we played today. We need to keep going, we have a final on Sunday and now we rest and change our [focus] to the final.

“First half, we didn’t play like we play, but, in the second half, we were much better. We started very well and scored early, so we had a good half-time talk with the coach and played the second half very well.”

Man Utd

Man Utd await Europa League draw

As mentioned, the huge games do not stop for Man Utd, who meet fellow Premier League side Newcastle in the League Cup final this weekend.

All focus will undoubtedly be on that game, but there is of course the matter of their next Europa League opponents to be sorted. The Red Devils will find out which club they will face in the round of 16 later today.

Ten Hag’s men have the chance of being drawn against Real Betis, Fenerbahce, Ferencvaros, Feyenoord, Freiburg, Real Sociedad or Union Saint-Gilloise.

They have previously faced Fenerbahce, Ferencvaros and Feyenoord, but have never met Real Betis, Freiburg or Union Saint-Gilloise.

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