Bruno Fernandes pulls no punches despite Man Utd heroics in clear message to teammates

Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United moved one step closer to the Europa League round of 16 with a nervy victory at home to Rangers

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was his team’s hero against Rangers, but called out his team’s lack of consistency despite the important win.

United claimed a fourth successive European win thanks to a stoppage-time effort from Fernandes, but may feel they should have had victory wrapped up sooner. Jack Butland’s own goal put them in front early in the second half, but Cyriel Dessers embarrassed Harry Maguire to equalise before the late, late winner.

Ruben Amorim’s side have now won four on the spin in Europe, three of those under the Portuguese. They sit fourth with one round of league phase fixtures to go, and a point away to FCSB could well be enough to seal a top-eight finish and avoid a play-off round.

It’s a different story in the league, though, with United taking just four points from their last six games. Fernandes recognised the importance of Thursday’s European win, but also fired a warning to the rest of the squad amid their recent struggles.

“We are a little frustrated, at the moment we start very well this year against Liverpool (in the league) and Arsenal (in the FA Cup), then Southampton we had good resilience – then the Brighton game, where everything went wrong,” Fernandes told TNT Sport after the win. “It was important to get the win today, we want to get through to the final in Bilbao and to be in the first eight so we don’t have to play two more games.

“It’s not about proving our character, we have to prove that in 90 minutes. We can’t only bring that out when we concede a goal. We need to be consistent through the 90 minutes. Unfortunately, we conceded a late goal and had to score a late winner.

“At this club, you need to win every game. You know if you don’t do that, it’s going to be tough – this is a massive club used to winning games. I hope our fans don’t get used to losing games, I want them to believe in the players and that we can win every game.”

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While United’s victory leaves them in pole position to progress as one of the top eight finishers, it’s a different story for Rangers. Philippe Clement’s side are likely to end up outside the automatic qualifying positions even if they beat Union SG in their final game, but they’re in line for a play-off spot regardless of the result.

“We missed eight players today, then you need to make two changes at half-time and put players out of position,” Clement said after injuries deprived him of players once more. “But you see how it’s a group who wants to work, to stick to the plan. They want to do everything for the colours of the club.

“I can’t ask more than what they gave today. We can talk about the details, where we made mistakes, or that we had chances and didn’t convert them – but there were a lot of positives. It’s good that they’re all gutted in the dressing room. That’s the mentality I want to see.”

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