Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Bruno Fernandes critics
Fernandes was criticised after an off-day at Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Bruno Fernandes after his display in the goalless draw against Liverpool drew criticism and questions over the playmaker's fitness.
Fernandes failed to have his usual impact at Anfield, missing an opportunity to give United the lead in the second-half when shooting straight at goalkeeper Alisson.
While appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports, former United midfielder Roy Keane said that the Portugal international "didn't play that well" but still credited him with creating one of the game's better chances.
Others have suggested that Fernandes may need to be rested, having started all but one of United's Premier League games this season, but Solskjaer insisted the 26-year-old is playing well and showing no signs of fatigue.
"His form is very good, he was just voted Player of the Month," the United manager pointed out.
"He’s not tired, no, no chance. He is one of the players that runs and covers the ground in every single game, he’s very good at recovering and recharging his batteries.
"If he scored his free-kick or if it just had a little air on the ball when Luke put the cross in he'd have been lauded as best player in Premier League again.
"Since he’s come in, he's been absolutely immense. He’s not tired and if I ask him he'll say there's absolutely no chance that he's tired."
Solskjaer added: "He's expected to create goals, score goals and sometimes the margins are against him. That free kick, I saw that one in!
"There were a couple of passes that he played through and it was marginal as to whether the player was on or off[side].
"So he’s always on the verge of creating something, even when he loses the ball, and that's the position I want him in and that’s what he's been told to do.
"He has to be the creative one. I want him to play the passes he sees."
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