Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have both come in for criticism this season, but former Manchester United star Wes Brown is backing them both to come good.
It has been a struggle so far this campaign for the Red Devils and although a win over Brentford last time out raised spirits, they still sit just 12th in the Premier League table.
Erik ten Hag’s side travel to take on Fenerbahce, and their former manger Jose Mourinho, in the Europa League on Thursday as they hope to keep up winning ways.
They will be without captain Fernandes, though, after he received a red card against Porto in their last European outing and the Portuguese has had a difficult season in general so far, yet to score a goal in 12 appearances.
He was also shown red in the Premier League against Tottenham, but Brown believes he showed glimpses of his best in the win over Brentford and expects more to come.
‘With Bruno Fernandes, I feel the positives outweigh the negatives,’ Brown told Instant Casinos. ‘I’m not really concerned about the red cards – he’s that sort of player and I’ve had players like that in my teams in the past. I don’t think it’s a bad thing by showing passion during games of football.
‘He’s the captain of the club and we know what he can do – that flick around the corner for [Rasmus] Hojlund for the second goal was lovely. When we talk about individual players, a lot of it is to do with confidence. I feel like he had a better game on Saturday and hope he can take that forward into the next game.
‘We know what he can do – he can pick up assists and can score and it was definitely one of his better games for the club this season. He leads by example and is a good club captain.’
Rashford struggled for the majority of last season and has managed just one goal in eight Premier League games so far this campaign, but again, Brown sees some positives and has backed the England international to come good.
‘I think Marcus Rashford played really well on Saturday – him and Alejandro Garnacho were the standout players for me,’ said the former Red Devils defender. ‘He just needs to keep putting the work in – Erik ten Hag is continuing to pick him in the starting XI and he remains a threat to other teams.
‘Obviously in an ideal world he will begin to score a little bit more like he was doing a couple of seasons ago, but he won’t give up and will keep on trying. All he needs is a couple of games where he finds the back of the net and his confidence will be back, which is so important for a player like him.
‘He’s an amazing talent when he’s in full flow, and I back to him to get back to those levels.’
Both players were praised by Ten Hag for their involvement in Garnacho and Hojlund’s goals against Brentford on Saturday.
‘The cross from Rashy [Marcus Rashford] was brilliant and it was a brilliant finish from Garnacho,’ said Ten Hag. ‘For the second goal, the pass from [Christian] Eriksen, the flick from Bruno [Fernandes] and the finish from Rasmus, it was so beautiful. Of course, we’re happy Rasmus is back as we miss his goals.’
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