Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes added another assist to give Erik ten Hag's side the advantage in the first leg against Sevilla in the Europa League.
Bruno Fernandes has registered 50 assists in a Manchester United shirt along with his 60 goals for the club, making him a very good teammate.
The Portuguese scored in Marcel Sabitzer's first game for United in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla. On-loan midfielder Sabitzer added a second before half-time to give Erik ten Hag's side the edge ahead of their trip to Spain on April 20, only to have Sevilla defend a second own goal. late table.
Since joining Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes is one of only two players in Europe's top five leagues to score 50 or more goals and provide as many assists in all competitions. . The other, perhaps unsurprisingly, is Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi. Messi is far from equaling Fernandes. According to Opta figures, the Argentinian has 80 goals and 59 assists in the same period.
This number is even more impressive because Fernandes often goes deeper than comparable players. While the 28-year-old has sometimes taken on a pioneering role for United, even acting as a de facto member of the forward trio, there have been games like the Sevilla clash where he was active. as a deeper midfielder.
Fernandes will not be able to add to that list next week, with a yellow card banning him for the quarter-final second leg. A move that United legend Paul Scholes furiously called "ridiculous".
Bruno Fernandes missed the second leg against Sevilla due to suspension
Bruno Fernandes missed the second leg against Sevilla due to suspension
Ten Hag will be hoping his team can progress without the man who started Thursday's game as captain, but they'd rather take the lead in the second leg.
While Fernandes will not play a role in Spain, United will need him at his best on Sunday. United's next game will be against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a team they have already knocked out of the league and the EFL Cup.
Arguably United's biggest interest comes in the back. Raphael Varane took the lead at half-time against Sevilla with what the Premier League side hoped was just a poke, but Lisandro Martinez looked genuinely in pain as he was injured with no one around. edge.
MANCHESTER, UK - APRIL 13:
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United gestures during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Zemanek/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
It was a night to forget for Fernandes and Man Utd, despite another milestone
United were without Marcus Rashford, who was injured against Everton at the weekend. However, a bright spot has come when Anthony Martial and Christian Eriksen get to play more after recent injuries.
Ten Hag's team has nine matches left in the league and is holding a three-point advantage over fifth-placed Tottenham (who played more than one game) in the race to qualify for the Champions League. They have also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and could reach the semi-finals of the European Cup with Juventus or Sporting if they get past Sevilla.
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