Paul Scholes has urged Erik ten Hag to avoid playing Bruno Fernandes on the wing after Manchester United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool.
Ten Hag's side were humiliated by their bitter rivals at Anfield last Sunday after the Dutch coach deployed Wout Weghorst in attacking midfield - the position Fernandes usually occupies. That forced the Portuguese playmaker out wide, with adverse results.
Fernandes was heavily criticised for his performance against Liverpool, with Gary Neville labelling him a "disgrace". The 28-year-old was restored to his primary position on Thursday night and made the most of that nod by scoring in a 4-1 win against Real Betis.
United will now take a commanding lead to Spain for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in six days' time. Scholes hopes that Thursday night's display will persuade Ten Hag to avoid deploying Fernandes out wide, where he appears to be less effective.
"Some of the players who came in for criticism, Bruno especially, I thought he was brilliant in the centre of the pitch where we know that's his best position," United icon Scholes told BT Sport. "I hope we never see him in a wide area ever again on the football pitch because it's just not his strength, he was so good in the centre of that pitch dictating play."
Marcus Rashford's sixth-minute strike gave United the lead against Betis before Ayoze Perez, who is on loan at the Spanish club from Leicester, equalised. Ten Hag's side then rallied in the second half thanks to goals from Antony, Fernandes and Weghorst.
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Scholes described United's display as "fantastic" before expanding further on Fernandes. He added, "I think a lot comes from playing centrally, where he’s more comfortable.
"He sacrifices himself a lot, being shoved out left and right. He was brilliant today in that central midfield role. I thought it was sensational. Good composure, that's what you expect from a United midfield player and the captain, there was none of them antics."
Fellow former United star Owen Hargreaves also told BT Sport, "Bruno Fernandes was at the heart of everything good United did today. He was brilliant today. Scoring, setting goals up, honestly, best player on the pitch."
There were calls for Fernandes to be stripped of the vice-captaincy after United conceded six goals during the second half of their humiliating loss to Liverpool, but Ten Hag stuck by the player. He was also full of praise for Fernandes after Thursday night's game.
"He was the best player on the pitch, it showed his personality," said Ten Hag. "He played a little deeper role tonight and he was brilliant, making the game from the back in position, a lot of good passes in between the lines. From there we created a lot of chances."
Fernandes has often be accused of losing his cool during games. When asked, Ten Hag said, "It’s his strength and his passion but you are right, sometimes he has to control that. He has to bring it, it is his strength and when it’s too much it becomes a weakness."
