Manchester United are set to be without Bruno Fernandes’ influence on the pitch for the next few games, but he’s determined to keep his off-field influence as strong as ever.
Bruno Fernandes pulled up with a hamstring issue in the first half against Aston Villa, eventually getting subbed off at half-time.
However, Fernandes chose to watch the game from the bench in the second half as United played well but succumbed to a 2-1 loss.
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A positive performance despite the loss… who stood out for you?
In a game where Ruben Amorim handed two debuts – Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher – he took one Man Utd youngster under his wing after the game in a display of pure leadership.
Bruno Fernandes was spotted talking to Bendito Mantato
Amorim included four outfield academy graduates in his matchday squad due to injuries and suspension, and he ended up giving a debut to two.
Tyler Fredricson played last season, so only one player on the bench could count himself as the unlucky one to not come on – Bendito Mantato.
Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu were both doing a good job on the wings, and the game needed more individual attacking spark, so Lacey and Fletcher’s numbers were called.
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Fernandes, noting Mantato’s predicament of being the “odd one out” in this game, took him under his wing after the game and was spotted speaking to him.
Mantato looked dejected, but Fernandes made sure to lift his spirits as a captain should, paying special attention to the youngster in a delicate mental moment.
With the games coming thick and fast and United’s first-team options looking increasingly thin, Mantato’s opportunity could be around the corner as well.
Ruben Amorim has allayed a major fear at Man Utd
Amorim allayed fears in this game that he doesn’t trust the youngsters, giving two players a genuine shot at changing the game.
These weren’t ceremonial debuts either, as both Lacey and Fletcher have made the bench multiple times in the past.
Amorim’s hand is almost certainly forced by injuries to a certain extent, but it is a far cry from the Everton game, for example, where he made like-for-like defensive changes, then sat on his laurels when he had Lacey on the bench.
He trusted the youngsters here, and neither came out of the game doing any harm to their stock by looking confident in their respective cameos.
Expect it to continue at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Maybe Mantato will have his moment then!
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