Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has issued some high praise for team-mate Donny van de Beek.
Fernandes, 26, was once again the Red Devils’ saviour during Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
The midfielder, who was not named in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line-up, was forced to watch on as a midfield trio of Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek started the game.
Despite attacking duo Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood teaming up to make the score 2-1 before Mo Salah netted a brace, Fernandes’ on-field talent was required at the hour mark.
In a desperate attempt to see Liverpool off in the game’s closing stages, Solskjaer subbed Fernandes on in place of van de Beek who, up until that point, had been playing as an advanced number-10.
Late on in the match, striker Edinson Cavani won a free-kick dangerously close to the edge of Liverpool’s box which Fernandes perfectly converted.
After what was the game’s winning goal, naturally, the Portuguese fan-favourite took all the plaudits.
However, in a classy gesture speaking to the club’s official website after the match, the 26-year-old has not been shy in praising the display of team-mate van de Beek.
“I think we have a really good team and a really good squad,” Fernandes said. “You have options and I think if you look at the bench and the first XI, and the ones who are at home – we have a really good squad.
“I think it will not be a problem if we change the team, if someone is tired because we have really good players.
“You see today we have players like Donny [van de Beek] who was not playing for a while and he did a really great game for me. I think playing in the position I normally play in, watching him, I think he moves really good.
“[In the] first half he has a little more of the ball and he played really, really well. I think it’s important for us and for everyone to understand that everyone wants to play.
“Maybe if I was in the position of Donny, for example, I would not be happy at all.
“But the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and do the best he can and help the team.”
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