The Manchester United supervisor and captain positions are two of probably the most scrutinised in world soccer, particularly when issues aren't going the membership's means. That has been the case for Erik ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes this season, nevertheless it's clear that each nonetheless have one another's backs after a Boxing Day blockbuster at Old Trafford.

United appeared destined to stoop to a brand new low this time period towards Aston Villa as they trailed 2-0 at half-time by means of low-cost set-piece targets from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker.

But the Red Devils burst to life inside an atmospheric Old Trafford after the break, with Alejandro Garnacho's brace and Rasmus Hojlund's first Premier League aim securing a memorable 3-2 triumph.

Fernandes was considered one of Ten Hag's prime performers towards an in-form Villa, who would've gone stage on factors with leaders Liverpool in the event that they maintained their lead.

The United captain reminded his critiques of his high quality and why Ten Hag charges him extremely sufficient to have handed him Harry Maguire's armband completely in the summertime.

After the sport, the pair's shut bond was struck residence by footage posted on Amazon Prime Sport's TikTok account, exhibiting a heat embrace within the tunnel.

Ten Hag held Fernandes shut whereas they had been deep in dialogue earlier than they shared a smile, and the latter returned to the pitch to conduct his post-match interview.

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The Dutchman has been the topic of experiences questioning his relationship with the dressing room throughout one of many worst-ever begins to a United season.

But there will be little doubt that his gamers are preventing for his undertaking, and never many bonds shall be extra tight-knit than along with his skipper.

It's been simply as difficult a season for United's gamers as for Ten Hag, whose future falls underneath a brand new wave of uncertainty as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS pitch their spot in M16.

And after the Villa comeback, Fernandes even urged that he has discovered himself questioning his personal high quality at occasions this time period.

"The belief has to be there because if you don't believe in each other, it's going to be difficult," Fernandes informed Amazon Prime after full-time.

"Obviously, in these last moments, there's going to be some disbelief, even in yourself. You start to think, 'Am I even good enough to be here?'

"It's regular when issues are usually not going proper. It's the way in which you overcome that and get outcomes even when issues are usually not going nicely."

He added: "As a Man United participant, you understand you are going to get criticised, however it's important to know take care of that and play at this stage."

The reality Fernandes has created 100 open-play huge probabilities within the Premier League in 2023, 29 greater than second-place Mohamed Salah, instantly dispels that doubt.