Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praises Bruno Fernandes performance in new role vs Brentford

Erik ten Hag praised Bruno Fernandes's role in "dictating" play for Manchester United in their 1-0 Premier League win over Brentford.

United returned to the top four with a gritty 1-0 defeat of Thomas Frank's side and could rise to third in the Premier League table with victory against Everton in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.

Fernandes started in a deeper role in the goalless draw against Southampton last month and dropped deep again for spells of the game against Brentford.

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Ten Hag was pleased United inflicted only a sixth league loss on Brentford this term, having performed so meekly in the 2-0 reverse at Newcastle on Sunday.

"The way we played against Brentford, which is a very tough opponent, if you see their results and analyse them especially against top teams, they play really well and it's very difficult to create chances against them," Ten Hag said. "We create something but especially on the ball, we played very well.

"It was initiated by Bruno, he played a brilliant game on the ball, dictating, made the rhythm of the game from the back, overload in midfield and our wide players played really well.

"Second half, we didn't get a second goal, was more of a battle, but you saw the determination, the desire and the passioin that we missed on Sunday, these are the standards we have to bring in every game.

"It was not acceptable on Sunday, not the standards of United, so there were several things I was happy with.

"You see the approach is changing from all the teams when you go to the end. The points are more expensive in the end. The demands also a certain mentality, and when you don't bring it on the pitch you get beaten in the Premier League. When one or