Rangnick admits Fernandes gave the ball away more than usual vs Atletico

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Manchester United just could not keep hold of the ball in the first half of last night’s clash with Atletico Madrid.

It was a timid performance lacking in conviction and Ralf Rangnick admitted as much at his post-match press conference.

Bruno Fernandes is not necessarily the most careful in possession at the best of times; always pushing for the high-risk pass which may create something but often giving it away.

Rangnick was asked to assess Bruno’s performance after the game and admitted that the Portuguese playmaker gave the ball away more often than usual last night.

But of course in the end, he provided the brilliant through ball to allow Anthony Elanga to equalise and earn a 1-1 draw on the night.

When it was put to Rangnick that Bruno gave the ball away a lot and he was asked if his performance was too rushed, the German said: “Yes, we know what a fantastic player Bruno normally is in possession of the ball.

“But the way we played in the first half, even for him it was difficult. He also had quite a few giveaways, unforced errors in the first half that he normally doesn’t have.

“In the end it’s about control and having moments of success in the game. We had only very few moments of success in the first half and that is why it was a very one-sided game in the first 45 minutes.”

In a separate interview with club media, Rangnick said of Bruno’s assist: “It was a brilliant pass by Bruno. We know that he can play exactly those kinds of balls.”

As per WhoScored, Bruno’s passing accuracy was 72.6 per cent last night. Only Marcus Rashford recorded a worse success rate among the United players who started the game.

But on the flip side, he played two key passes which laid on chances, on a night where no other United player made more than one.

That is the balance with Bruno and that tendency to play the Hollywood pass may need to be tempered when United are under the cosh against elite opponents like they were for an hour last night.

But he never stops trying to make things happen and that was shown by his outstanding assist which helped swing the balance of the tie back United’s way.