Bruno Fernandes gives STRONG words to His Man United teammates ahead of the Barcelona clash
Bruno Fernandes believes the Old Trafford atmosphere can propel Manchester United to victory against Barcelona this evening, as it did earlier this season against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Tonight is the second leg of a Europa League knockout round play-off between Liverpool and Barcelona.
Following last week’s classic at the Nou Camp, the tie is poised at 2-2.
It will be a huge test for Erik ten Hag’s Reds, but Bruno is confident that players and fans will work together to produce another thrilling victory.
Indeed, in a new BT Sport interview with United legend Rio Ferdinand, Fernandes cites the games against Liverpool and City as the two most pivotal moments in Ten Hag’s debut season.
“For me, the key moment of this season is the Liverpool game,” assesses Bruno.
“I think that is the main moment for us, because we come from two really bad results [against Brighton and Brentford].
“And then we got that win. The stadium was once again on fire; it was an unbelievable atmosphere that the fans created for us.”
By the time champions Manchester City arrived in January, United had evolved into a different, more confident beast.
However, according to our no.8, the environment was once again critical in allowing Ten Hag and company to pass another significant test.
“Obviously this game was that [next] step. Everyone thought: ‘Now it’s City.
“Now it’s the team that plays the best football in the last five or six years in England. Let’s see if they can deal with that.
“And we did. We did really well. We won that game!”
The Portuguese playmaker is hoping for a similar result tonight against the Spaniards in M16.
The start of a crucial period in our season, with the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag has issued a rallying cry to Manchester United fans ahead of the match against Barcelona.
The Dutchman, like Bruno, believes Old Trafford is one of the Reds’ most powerful weapons.
“We are all on a journey together, moving forward game by game,” he told the official matchday programme, United Review.
“Tonight, we need the fans, as well as the players, to be at the top of their game, if we are to create a memorable night at Old Trafford.”
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Bruno Fernandes gives STRONG words to His Man United teammates ahead of the Barcelona clash