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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Steven Railston

Bruno Fernandes comments hint at reason behind Antony argument vs Crystal Palace

Bruno Fernandes has revealed Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United's players to command each other on the pitch if they are 'not doing what they need to' during games.

United failed to win for the first time in 10 games against Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Fernandes, who opened the scoring before half-time in the 1-1 draw, exchanged heated words with Antony in the first half.

Antony was regularly slowing down United's attacks at Selhurst Park and eventually a misplaced pass from the winger was enough for Fernandes to vent his frustration at the Brazilian, which led to a verbal confrontation between the pair which was captured by the TV cameras.

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Fernandes played in his usual No.10 position against Crystal Palace, but he played on the right wing in the Manchester derby and he recently reflected on starting in different positions and why Ten Hag wants his players to 'command each other'.

“I offer what the manager needs me to offer. We train a lot and I like to see what other players have to do on the pitch,” Fernandes told United's in-house media.

“As the manager has said many times: if someone is not doing what they need to, we have to command each other ourselves and understand what is not going well because it can help to send a message from the bench onto the pitch.

“It has to be the players that do that step and, for me, it is important to know that I can play different positions and do different things and that the manager trusts me to play on the right wing, as a number eight, on the left or wherever he needs me to play.

“Whatever he needs me to do, I know that, in training during the week, it’s because of the wingers or because of the number eight, what he needs or even if he needs me to play as a striker. I know what he demands and then I know what he needs to do'

"If he needs me to play in that position. For me, the most important thing is I feel most confident playing as a number 10 as it is in the centre of the pitch, compared to out wide or number eight [but] I know if I have to play as a left-winger, right-winger, left-back, it doesn't matter. If I can help the team in a different position, that will be my main goal.”

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