Bruno Fernandes: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United star needed a break after FA Cup loss
ByReuters
Updated 22/03/2021 at 11:17 GMT
Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice and Youri Tielemans added another as Brendan Rodgers' side beat Manchester United to set up a FA Cup semi-final clash with Southampton. Bruno Fernandes, who been a stand-out performer for United with 23 goals and 13 assists in 45 games in all competitions, replaced Donny van der Beek in the 64th minute.
'Every team selection has reasons behind it' - Solskjaer on dropping Fernandes
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said midfielder Bruno Fernandes needed a break after the Portugal international was left out of the starting lineup for Sunday's 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Leicester City.
Explaining the decision to leave Fernandes out of the starting 11, Solskjaer said the 26-year-old had played a lot of football this season.
"He's also a human being, he's played a game every three or four days really," he added.
"I know Bruno wants to play but sometimes you make decisions for the benefit of both the team and him."
Solskjaer said Marcus Rashford could be fit for England's 2022 World Cup qualifiers this month.
Rashford missed United's game at the King Power Stadium because of a foot problem as they were knocked out of the competition in a 3-1 loss to Brendan Rodgers' side.
"The doctor will speak to the English (Football Association) but I think he (Rashford) will travel and report for them," Solskjaer said. "Maybe he'll be fit for them."
The 23-year-old, who has 18 goals and 12 assists in 45 games in all competitions for United this season, was included in England coach Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad last week.
England host San Marino on Thursday before playing away to Albania on Sunday and at home against Poland on March 31.
RODGERS AIMING TO CREATE HISTORY
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said his team are aiming to create history by winning the FA Cup for the first time.
Leicester have lost in the final four times, the last occasion coming in the 1968-69 season when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City, and Rodgers said it was time to end that run.
"We are in the semi-final and we have a chance to get to the final and create history," Rodgers said.
"For the club to get to the final and win the trophy would be really special. It's a trophy in their history they haven't won.
"It's a tough game in the semi-final but the club has never won the FA Cup so to be able to do something like that will be special."
Scan me
Share this article