BRUNO FERNANDES admitted if he was Donny van de Beek he ‘would not be happy at all’.
It comes after Dutchman Van de Beek was handed a rare start, lining up in Manchester United’s midfield in the FA Cup.
Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek Credit: PA:Press Association
Fernandes was rested from the off but came on in the second half, eventually scoring the winner as United won 3-2.
The Portugal international praised Van de Beek for his role and highlighted the competition for places within the side.
Fernandes told MUTV: “Donny had a great game.
“Playing in the position I play, watching him he moves really good and played really well. It’s important for us.
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“If I was in the position of Donny I would not be happy at all but the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and helping the team.
“We have a really good squad and we have options. If you look at the bench and the first XI today and the ones at home we have a really good squad.
“It will not be a problem if we change the team or someone is tired because we have really good players.”
Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford last sumer for £39million, joining from Ajax.
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But his role in the team has been limited, due to the importance of Fernandes and resurgence from record signing Paul Pogba.
Van de Beek, 23, has started in just ten of his 22 appearances this season, scoring just once, on his debut against Crystal Palace.
United sit top of the Premier League, and progressed into the next round of the FA Cup, where they will play West Ham.
Having been knocked out of the Champions League, they will instead challenge for the secondary Europa trophy.
And Fernandes is hungry to win them all.
He said: “They’re all important competitions for us.
“We have to go in the same way whatever the competition. We play in them all to win.
“Everyone knows winning the league is more special but for us players, it’s about winning trophies regardless and this is a trophy we want to win.”
Watch Jurgen Klopp in heated conversation with referee in tunnel at half-time of Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to Man Utd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
