BREAKING NEWS: live from Old Trafford, FC Porto boss Vitor Bruno has warned his players that they should not give space to Manchester United’s star. He believes that he can trouble them if he has time on the ball. He said, during that teams training today my players told me we need to play defense cause of only this particular man united player. He brings havoc and terror to opposition team and cause of him we have to change tactics.” “We cannot give him space” – Porto manager identifies danger man in Manchester United team ahead of Europa League showdown

FC Porto’s manager Vitor Bruno has issued a strong caution to his players regarding their upcoming match against Manchester United, stressing the need to limit Bruno Fernandes’ influence. He pointed out that the Portuguese midfielder can significantly impact the game if given too much space.

During a press conference ahead of Thursday’s match, Bruno highlighted that Fernandes poses a considerable threat if not properly contained. He remarked on Fernandes’ ability to change a game’s outcome and addressed the recent discussions surrounding the player’s red card in the match against Tottenham Hotspur.

On the topic of Fernandes’ sending-off in the Spurs game, Bruno stated, “I don’t believe his red card was warranted. He is an exceptional talent and an international player, and having previously played for Sporting, he will surely be motivated to perform well tomorrow.” He elaborated on his tactical plan to counter Fernandes, emphasizing the necessity of restricting his space and influence. “We must remain vigilant, keep track of him, and prevent him from playing to his strengths. Whether it’s his passing, chance creation, or dribbling skills, we cannot afford to let him operate freely,” he added.

Bruno expressed particular concern about Fernandes’ creativity, especially his ability to deliver perilous crosses and generate scoring opportunities. He urged his players to be alert in containing Fernandes to stop him from controlling the match.

Shifting focus to Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag, Bruno praised his counterpart and referenced a tradition of camaraderie between managers post-match. He mentioned Carlos Carvalhal, a Portuguese manager known for enjoying drinks with opposing coaches after games. “If Ten Hag is interested, our dressing room is open for him. We can maintain that tradition,” Bruno joked.

Both FC Porto and Manchester United have struggled in their Europa League campaigns this season, with Porto losing to FK Bodø/Glimt and United drawing against FC Twente. This upcoming match is crucial for both sides as they aim to regain their form in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has shown support for Fernandes despite his mixed performances this season. Ahead of the match against Tottenham, Ten Hag expressed confidence in Fernandes’ ability to return to top form. “I believe he is capable; he has shown it many times in the Premier League. He creates numerous chances, and I’m sure he will continue to do so. He will score goals and make key passes; it’s only a matter of time,” Ten Hag remarked. His comments followed the red card incident involving Fernandes during the Tottenham match, which the FA later rescinded, allowing him to participate in upcoming fixtures.

Ten Hag’s trust in Fernandes highlights the midfielder’s importance to his plans, despite recent criticism. With his manager’s support, Fernandes will aim to have a significant impact in the next matches, particularly against FC Porto.

As Manchester United prepares for their Europa League clash, all attention will be on Fernandes to see how he handles the pressure and if he can help his team overcome their challenges. Conversely, FC Porto will work to implement Bruno’s tactical plan to restrict Fernandes and prevent him from becoming the decisive player he can be.