Bruno Fernandes reacts brilliantly to Marcus Rashford question after Manchester United win

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United gestures a thumbs-up during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on February 01, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Bruno Fernandes says that all players have a point to prove when they step onto the pitch in a Manchester United shirt – not just Marcus Rashford, who spent the past week in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Thankfully, for Rashford as well as United, the Wythenshawe lad played well against Wolves in a dramatic 4-3 win at Molineux.

Most of the talk prior to the game surrounded Rashford following his nigh out in Belfast last week, but Ten Hag brought him into the side and he delivered just five minutes into the game with an opening goal.

Fernandes was asked after the game if Rashford had a point to prove, to which he snapped back to say that it is not just Rashford, but the entire team.

“Marcus has been the same, this is what he is capable of doing,” Fernandes told TNT Sport after the match, whilst stood alongside match-winner Kobbie Mainoo, as quoted by BBC Sport.

“This is what he has to do. This season has not been great for everyone, not only Marcus but we know some players get more scrutiny than others and obviously, everyone has a point to prove, not only Marcus because of the news that came out, or whatever he has done going into the media side. Everyone has to step up in games. It’s not only Marcus, it’s everyone else that is on the pitch. You have to do the job. Marcus did a great goal, we know his qualities, we know what he can do and what he can give to the team. We are only focussed on that and I think more than me being worried about that, I think Marcus his position, knows what it means being a Man United player more so than I know because he’s been here his whole life. I think he is the one that can deal better than that than anyone else.”

United have been in terrible form, but I also think Fernandes answered a tricky question like a true captain. Yet many criticise his leadership qualities since he was given the captain’s armband by Ten Hag in the summer.

Fernandes also gave credit to Wolves for making it a difficult game for United. He added: “We knew Wolves would counter us. In the first half we controlled it well, pressed high, counter press was really good. Second half, they changed it a little bit. They were a little bit more dynamic on their right hand side, our left hand side and they could get the ball there with more players and have control on the ball there and making overlaps that create a lot of dangers. More than that I think was when we attacked, they could always counter and we know that they have a lot of pace up front and players who can hold the ball and one v one. From the goal, they gained more confidence obviously with their fans pushing for them and they thought they could come back in the game. They did, but in the end we got the result and that’s the most important thing.”

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