The Portugal international played alongside Scott McTominay in a midfield pivot in a comfortable 2-0 win over the Toffees.
United have been without Casemiro since his red card against Southampton. The absence of Christian Eriksen, who returned to action with a cameo off the bench on Saturday, could have been a factor too.
Erik ten Hag explains the reasons behind playing Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role against Everton. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Here’s what ten Hag said when asked about the position of Fernandes (h/t Manchester Evening News):
“When you miss players you have to find solutions as a manager, as a coaching staff.
“So then you are looking. In the moment Casemiro and Eriksen were available there was no need to bring them down.
“But when you miss them you have to find a solution to bring the game from the back to get the build up, to progress the ball to attack.
“We found the idea to bring Bruno down deeper and he’s doing brilliant, I think he’s playing really good games.”
Fernandes showed great discipline in the game in helping McTominay to stop the counter-attacking game of Everton. The Portuguese star was also a good ball carrier from back to front. He created a lot of chances for Marcus Rashford, who couldn’t convert any of the chances for a change.
After a recent stutter in league form, it was important for United to return to winning ways with home wins over Brentford and Everton.
loading="lazy" width="1200" height="787" src="https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-1200x787.jpg" alt="Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explains the change in role for Bruno Fernandes . " class="wp-image-99676" srcset="https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-1200x787.jpg 1200w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-768x503.jpg 768w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-1536x1007.jpg 1536w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-2048x1342.jpg 2048w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-561x368.jpg 561w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-1122x735.jpg 1122w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-265x174.jpg 265w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-531x348.jpg 531w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-364x239.jpg 364w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-728x477.jpg 728w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-608x399.jpg 608w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-758x497.jpg 758w, https://weallfollowunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fbl-eng-pr-man-utd-everton-1-1152x755.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />After a recent stutter in form, Manchester United have won their last two league games. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
They are now in a strong position to finish in the top four by being three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur having played a game less.
The other good news is that Everton was the last game of suspension Casemiro had to undergo. So, he will be back for the next league game away at Nottingham Forest.
Before that though, United have Sevilla coming to Old Trafford for the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. Ten Hag may keep a close eye on Rashford’s groin issue that forced the Englishman to come off in the second half against Everton.
