What Maguire told Bruno Fernandes about playing defence as Manchester United beat Liverpool
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Bruno Fernandes celebrates Manchester United's progress to the FA Cup semifinal|MANCHESTER UNITED IMAGE

What Maguire told Bruno Fernandes about playing defence as Manchester United beat Liverpool

Allan Damba • 10:29 - 19.03.2024

Skipper Bruno Fernandes showcased the exemplary self as he found himself all over the pitch including being in a makeshift back four partnering Harry Maguire in the centre, with winger Antony playing at left-back.

Manchester United progressed to the semifinals of the FA Cup following a dramatic victory over Liverpool, where after 120 minutes of non-stop action many had run themselves into the ground.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes showcased the exemplary self as he found himself all over the pitch including being in a makeshift back four partnering Harry Maguire in the centre, with winger Antony playing at left-back.

Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United | Imago

Fernandes has revealed what Harry Maguire told him as the Portuguese maestro slotted into defence to help Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-3 to set up a semifinal with Coventry.

“It’s whatever I have to do to help the team win. This… there are no positions. At that moment we had to take risks, we had to play basically man-to-man, which was what the coach asked of us. And he didn’t want me to be so deep at certain moments,” United’s No.8 told TNT Sports.

“But I felt it and H [Harry], Maguire, often asked me to drop back to help because obviously there was [Cody] Gakpo and Darwin [Núñez] two very fast players, with a lot of speed."

“And at one point I had to jump into the middle, at others I had to drop a little deeper, because my legs were getting tired, I was cramping up everywhere, and I even took a knock to help out (laughs)."

Harry Maguire in action against Fulham || Imago

“I don’t mind, [playing in defence], but when I’m far away from the goal, I can’t get my goals and assists! But they can’t score anyway because I was a centre-half in my early career, so I still got something from that.”

Manchester United are keen on winning a 13th FA Cup, and a second trophy for manager Erik Ten Hag.