BRU HIT IS SPECIAL

Fernandes saves Ten from bad night

- DAVID MCDONNELL

WHERE would Manchester United be without Bruno Fernandes?

A lot worse off this season, which is saying something, given how lamentable they have been in a campaign that has lurched from one crisis to another.

But through all of the gloom and despondency, Fernandes has stood tall and led United, playing through the pain barrier and digging his side out of a hole - just as he did here.

After Sunday's humiliating capitulation to Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals, when they blew a 3-0 lead with 20 minutes left and scraped through on penalties, United needed a response.

Yet, until Fernandes swept the ball into the net in the 81st minute to put United 3-2 ahead, it looked like boss Erik ten Hag was going to face more uncomfortable questions about his side's dire display.