As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United has already received a significant boost ahead of their FA Cup semifinal matchup against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils were knocked out from the Europa League after losing to Sevilla in the quarterfinal stage 5-2 on aggregate. Erik ten Hag will want his team to put up a fight against the Seagulls at the noisy Wembley stadium.
Bruno Fernandes’ availability for selection after serving his midweek European suspension has already given United a significant advantage going into the game.
The Red Devils missed the Portuguese midfielder’s creativity against Sevilla. Without him on the pitch, the team lacked creativity and an eye for the goal in the final third.
In Bruno’s absence, Marcel Sabitzer played at the No.10 spot in the starting position. The Austrian midfielder completed just 58% of his passes throughout the second-leg match.
However, it will be expected that Fernandes will replace him in the starting XI against Brighton. After being turned down for the Andalusian trip, the 28-year-old will be motivated to impress the manager.
Fernandes has been a revelation for United since the post-World Cup period. He has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in this time period. In addition to his contributions to goals, he has also produced a number of other significant chances in the final third.
His availability is therefore a significant benefit for United. Along with being more creative, the Portuguese maestro is a better leader than Harry Maguire.
Therefore, Fernandes could captain the team against the Seagulls. Meanwhile, Maguire’s one-game suspension prevents him from participating in the semi-final clash. United will need to play at its peak against one of the top attacking sides in the nation if they want to go to the final.
