Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has seven undroppables

Early in the first half in Estadio Benito Villamarín, Bruno Fernandes approached the corner flag and amid the deafening din of the locals the Manchester United followers in the third tier could still be heard bellowing "Bruno, Bruno, Bruno".

Fernandes raised his head and applauded them appreciatively. He was immediately and vocally backed by the Stretford End in the first leg four days after the Anfield aberration. Fernandes responded with a goal and an assist in United's 4-1 win against Betis.

Despite the hyperbolic reactions over his lack of leadership against Liverpool, there was never any uncertainty over Fernandes's position. On an evening that Harry Maguire had the armband strapped to his bicep, the United supporters recognised Fernandes as the de facto leader.

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Fernandes told me last month he is unhappy if he does not complete 90 minutes though he will have understood his 68th-minute withdrawal. He was a booking away from suspension in the Europa League and the bigger cup tie this week is against Fulham on Sunday.

Remarkably, Fernandes has still not missed a United fixture through injury. The only match he has been absent for that was not an outright rest was when he was unwell for the 3-2 victory over Tottenham last year.

That durability is as laudable as Fernandes's mentality that quickly endeared him to Erik ten Hag. "He is very strong, very good recovery," Ten Hag said of Fernandes. "He is a very good athlete, he has so much energy and he can play in so many roles.

"Tactically, he is brilliant, he can play in roles and we can benefit from him. We can overload areas, we can outplay opponents, we create good situations and create chances.

"He