Bruno Fernandes issues Man Utd rallying cry and defends Onana after Bayern stick
Bayern Munich V Manchester United: Pictures
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes issued a rallying cry to his colleagues after a fourth defeat in five matches. Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a dismal start to their Champions League campaign with a 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils were below-par for much of the game and trailed 4-1 before a late Casemiro brace restored some parity. But midfielder Fernandes insists the ‘fighting spirit’ remains heading into Saturday’s visit to Burnley.
“The positive is that the spirit, the fighting spirit, was there. We tried,” the 29-year-old reflected.
“It wasn’t still enough to win the game or to get something from the game. But at periods, the team showed great spirit. But we have to do it more often and for 90 minutes.”
Ten Hag had 12 senior players unavailable for the trip to Germany. Only three centre-backs – including the veteran Jonny Evans – were available to face Bayern.
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Fernandes added: “Obviously, we want to have everyone back because we know that as many players we have available, the team will be stronger. And obviously more options for the manager to do his choices and whatever his tactics, the first 11 or whatever he picks.
“But obviously, still, we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the team to get through this moment. We know it’s tough but I think the team has enough players to get a response.
“I think what everyone has to do is to do their own job and look at themselves first. That’s what I do as a player, not as a captain – as a person.”
Fernandes pointed out that there were still positives, including scoring three goals away from home. “I think no-one would expect us to come into Bayern and score three goals,” he continued.
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“It wasn’t enough but we were not playing against some bad team – we were playing one of the best teams in the world, with great players, with great qualities. Obviously it’s not the best moment for us but we will get through this and we will get the results back.”
The playmaker also backed goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made a couple of mistakes. The worst allowed Leroy Sane’s shot to squirm through his grasp as Bayern opened the scoring.
“Andre is a great goalkeeper. He will keep giving us a lot of points, a lot of saves,” Fernandes insisted.
“He hasn’t to take any blame. We have to take the blame as a team. We’re going to go through this moment together because we are strong as a team.”
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