He was brilliant today” – Erik Ten Haag Heaps Praise on Midfielder he believes is better than Rashford

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening, with Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike proving to be the difference. While the Englishman has been lauded for his impressive performances in recent weeks, it was the Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes who caught the eye of manager Erik ten Hag.

Speaking after the game, the Dutchman was quick to praise Fernandes, hailing him as the best player on the pitch. “Rashy’s performances are outstanding. What he is doing, that is great,” he said. “But, for me, the best player on the pitch was Bruno Fernandes. By far. I think he dictated the game from the start until the end.”

Fernandes, who had struggled to make an impact in United’s previous game against Newcastle United, bounced back in style against Brentford. The attacking midfielder was at the heart of everything the Red Devils did going forward, registering an impressive 114 touches and completing a staggering 83 passes.

Moreover, the 27-year-old won six duels and successfully delivered seven long balls, demonstrating his influence on the game. It is no surprise, then, that ten Hag singled him out for praise.

Fernandes’ performance was a timely reminder of his quality, and he will be hoping to build on this display in the weeks to come. As for Manchester United, they will be looking to maintain their momentum as they continue their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.