Fernandes hoping special win over Liverpool is springboard for United
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes is determined to end a poor season on a high after Sunday's jaw-dropping and "spicy" FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.
With immense pressure on manager Erik ten Hag and his misfiring side, the Red Devils secured a remarkable 4-3 victory in stoppage time of extratime through substitute Amad Diallo.
His strike sparked wild celebrations and secured an FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, breathing new life into a season that had threatened to go into a tailspin.
Asked if he had ever seen scenes like that at Old Trafford before, captain Fernandes said: "I think the last year probably against Liverpool, it was the turnaround of last season and kind of the same.
"Today the game got a little bit spicy, a little more special because it's an FA Cup game and if you lose, you're out.
"We know the rivalry between fans, we know how United fans wanted us to win the game to give us something to celebrate because it's not been great for us."
The key victory Fernandes referenced came in August 2022 after Ten Hag began his United reign with defeats by Brighton and Brentford.
That season ended up with Carabao Cup glory, reaching the FA Cup final and a thirdplaced league finish and the Dutchman hopes Sunday can be the turning point after several false dawns as they look to chase down a Champions League finish.
"We've talked about turnarounds but have never done the next step," Fernandes said. "But I think we have to understand the FA Cup is a thing and the Premier League is another one.
"In the league now, we have ten matches to go and we don't depend on ourselves but as we saw Tottenham losing points to Fulham, Villa losing points to West Ham.
"But our main goal is to not lose points to Brentford away. We need to put our effort into winning that game."
Fifth could prove enough for Champions League qualification as sixth-placed United look to reel in Aston Villa and Tottenham, while the FA Cup
38
Manchester United games for Bruno Fernandes already
this season
offers a chance to top it off in glorious fashion.
Cheers were heard from suites around Old Trafford when Coventry were drawn rather than Manchester City or Chelsea but there is little chance of semi-final complacency.
"Obviously we're playing a Championship team and not a Premier League team, but Wolves went out against them," Fernandes said.
"We don't want to compare ourselves with Wolves but we have to respect every team that comes here because I remember two seasons ago we went out against Middlesbrough at home..."
Fernandes epitomised the battling approach against Liverpool, filling in at centre-back arolehesaidheusedtoplayasa kid-andplayingthroughadead leg as his remarkable record of availability continued.
"I just have to be grateful for my father and my mum because they made me the right way, the strong way," the Portugal playmaker added.