BRUNO BOXES SMART
No time to bask in glory of Spurs win says Fernandes
BRUNO FERNANDES says Manchester United will not dwell on the confidence-boosting 3-0 win at Tottenham any more than the 5-0 demolition job Liverpool did on them.
The playmaker admitted it was good to get their season back on a positive trajectory on Saturday after the bruising home defeat against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
But ahead of their clash with Atalanta tonight, Fernandes insisted no one in United’s dressing room believed either result would define their season.
“For the first and second day it was difficult to handle a loss like that against one of the biggest rivals for us,” he explained.
“I know some people think not but we feel the same as the fans and we feel for them.We are trying to give them something and not let them down.
“We did our job against Tottenham and have to forget that and think about Atalanta.
“It will be a tough game, a different competition and we have to concentrate on winning.”
Fernandes enjoyed the new front line at Spurs, sitting behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
But he does not expect the formation to be a regular feature.
“With the quality we have it’s easy to play behind any strikers,” said Fernandes. “All the players are different but all of them can score goals from any position. I’m happy with the strikers.
“We have Cristiano, Edi, Rashie [Marcus Rashford], Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Juan Mata who can play there.”
Keeping such a big squad happy is no easy task and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have heard the whispers growing after the Liverpool rout on behalf of some of those not getting game time.
Solskjaer called for those players inclined to moan about not starting to pull together.
“When you are at a place like this, with so many players, you don’t have time for anyone to sulk and not give energy,” said the United manager.
“If you are not in the starting XI you support your team-mates when you come on.
“I understand players want to play but squad morale is really good and it has to be. The team has to come before any individual.”
Paul Pogba is available tonight despite a domestic ban following his red card against Liverpool.
Donny van de Beek, who has been linked with a loan move to Barcelona, Sancho, Martial and Jesse Lingard will also be hoping to see some action in Italy.