Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were eliminated from the World Cup earlier this week following their shock defeat to Morocco but the Manchester United can keep their heads held high after impressing in Qatar.
Fernandes, in particular, was one of the tournament’s outstanding players and was undeniably his nation’s best player in their run to the quarter-finals.
In his four appearances, Fernandes was directly involved in five goals, becoming the first Portuguese player to do so at a World Cup since 1966.
Dalot started the first two games on the bench but after impressing in their final group game, he was drafted into the starting line-up for their knockout fixtures, leaving Manchester City star Joao Cancelo on the bench.
Speaking after their defeat to Morocco, Fernandes was heavily critical of the referee on the day. Hours later, he has published a classy message online and congratulated the African giants on reaching the semi-final.
View this post on Instagram
“It’s hard to put into words all we felt yesterday once the game ended,” Fernandes wrote on Instagram. “Our dream fell apart when we did everything to make it end differently.
“It’s sad and painful because representing our country means so much more than just playing football. Despite the elimination I am very proud to be Portuguese and even more so in all those who represented with me our country in this world cup.
“I would also like to congratulate the Moroccan national team for the great game and for qualifying to the semi-finals of the World Cup well deserved.”
Fernandes and Dalot are now set to return to Manchester but it is believed they will be given a short break before beginning preparations for the resumption of club football.
Erik ten Hag also faces an anxious wait on Dalot’s fitness, with the young right-back sustaining what looked like a hamstring injury in the dying embers of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
Dalot served a one-match suspension in United’s final game before the season was paused to accommodate the World Cup but prior to that, he had played every single competitive fixture for United.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is likely to replace Dalot if the Portuguese star is absent, has failed to start a game under Ten Hag this season.
