Man Utd face a rematch with Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday but Bruno Fernandes insists the atmosphere won’t affect them.
Bruno Fernandes insists Manchester United won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at Elland Road ahead of a second meeting with Leeds in five days this week.
Having shared the spoils at Old Trafford on Wednesday, United cross the Pennines for the second instalment of this bitter rivalry on Sunday.
The frenetic 2-2 draw in the first game was a spicy affair on and off the pitch, with United fighting back from two goals behind to earn a point that still put an end to their 13-match winning streak at home.
The final 20 minutes were played at a breathless pace with both teams looking for a winner and it’s likely to lead into another electric atmosphere in West Yorkshire this weekend.
Fernandes finished the game driving his side forward in a desperate search for a winner and he’s sent a defiant message ahead of the return fixture, claiming there’s nobody he’d rather go into battle with than this squad of players.
“Nah, I’m not really worried obviously,” Fernandes said of the potential for a powder keg atmosphere at Elland Road.
“With this team, with the character that we have in this team, the passion, the desire, the togetherness we have, we’re not afraid to go anywhere to play against whatever opponent it is. I know that I will be in good hands with all of them.
“I know that this team will give, will fight back, will give all the best and will not be afraid to play whatever is the pitch, the stadium or the team.”
The 2-2 draw on Wednesday was the only midweek game in the Premier League, with the fixture rearranged after initially being postponed following the death of the Queen.
But it does extend United’s run of playing every midweek from Christmas until at least the first week of March. By the time they head to Anfield on March 5, they will be on to a 20th game in just 69 days.
“Yeah (it’s relentless) but if you want to be in the best teams of the world, if you want to play for winning trophies, you have to be in all competitions. You have to play three days, then three days,” he said.
“Obviously we know that this game was for other reasons played today, but it has to be and we have to be ready for that.
“We know how tough it is to play in the Premier League, to play against these kind of teams. It’s a position where we want to be, so we are not focused on that or worried about that.
“We just have to be worried about getting our results and our best performance back.”
The point on Wednesday might not have been enough for Fernandes, but it was a big night for Jadon Sancho, who scored his first goal since returning from more than three months out, slamming home the equaliser.
“It’s important for everyone because we want as many players as possible available for the team. Jadon is getting back, he’s getting his minutes, get his goal today,” said Fernandes.
“It will hopefully be for us and for him a big boost for the rest of the season because we need everyone at their best.
“We know what Jadon can bring to the team. We know his qualities, what he can give to us, so we’re really happy to have him back on the team.
“Because, as you saw today, he can make a big difference whenever he is playing from the first 11 or coming off the bench.”
Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
