Bruno Fernandes offers perfect response after his credibility as Manchester United captain is questioned

By Ben Church, CNN

Updated 1033 GMT (1833 HKT) March 10, 2023

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Real Betis.

(CNN)After his credibility asManchester United captain was widely questioned following the 7-0 drubbing against Liverpool on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes showed a very different side of his game against Real Betis in the Europa League.

The midfielder once again led his side out at Old Trafford on Thursday and produced a scintillating performance to inspire United to a 4-1 win in the round of 16, first -eg tie. It was the perfect response to the weekend's humiliation and United manager Erik ten Hag was impressed by Fernandes' reaction. Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag slams 'unprofessional' players after humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool«For Bruno, I think he was brilliant today,» Ten Hag told reporters after the game.«He led the team from the first minute by his game. In possession, he made the rhythm of the game and he scored a goal so I am happy.»Read MoreFernandes was singled out for widespread criticism after Liverpool handed United its worst league defeat since 1931. Former United captain Gary Neville called the Portuguese playmaker a «disgrace» and «embarrassing at times» during his analysis as a pundit on Sky Sports.At one point in Sunday's game Fernandes failed to chase Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic after the 18-year-old sped away from the United captain«However bad United were, you cannot just let someone run away from you and give up,» Ex-Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton told the BBC earlier this week. «That's what the captain of Manchester United did and that's a bad look.Rampant Liverpool humiliates Manchester United with stunning 7-0 Premier