Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has vowed a fightback in the Europa League after their heavy defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils face Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday evening in the second leg of their quarter-final, with the tie delicately poised at 2-2. However, Sunday’s 4-1 Premier League humbling at St James’ Park, where a second-half collapse proved costly.
Fernandes told MUTV: “We will fight back on Thursday. We will fight back and we will put everything back on the pitch that we have to do.
“From tomorrow on, we are going to put our heads on to the game, fresh legs, fresh minds and together with the fans, we are going to do something special again.”
Manager Ruben Amorim made significant changes to the starting line-up, with goalkeeper Andre Onana among five players omitted. Alejandro Garnacho levelled the scores before half-time, cancelling out Sandro Tonali’s earlier opener.
However, the second half saw a starkly different United performance. Harvey Barnes’ double and a fourth from Bruno Guimaraes, which was handed to him on a plate following a mistake by Onana’s replacement Altay Bayindir, left the travelling supporters in a glum mood as they contemplated their journey home.
Fernandes admitted he could understand their frustration, but vowed to give them something to cheer on Thursday night.
He said: “They have always been by our side, so it’s time for us to pay back and I’m pretty sure this team is aware of that. We are very aware of what the fans have been doing for us, how much they care about the club, how much they care about the players.
“I know sometimes frustration gets into them, but that’s normal. As it gets into me on the pitch, it’s normal to get into the fans in the stands, and everyone is very aware of what we have to do on Thursday.
“It’s going to be a big game for us, it’s going to be a big game for the club. It’s going to be a big game for Lyon too, but we have to be at the level.”
Amorim, who declined to reveal whether or not Onana would be recalled to face Lyon, lost Joshua Zirkzee to a hamstring problem at St James’ Park and withdrew Garnacho and Fernandes as he attempted to retain a measure of freshness for what lies ahead.
