Bruno Fernandes has backed Jadon Sancho to return to his best after coming off the bench to score the equaliser for Manchester United against Leeds.
Sancho made an impact for Erik ten Hag on Wednesday night, scoring just 11 minutes after joining the action to help secure a 2-2 draw from two goals down. It was the winger’s first goal for the club since September 15 following a spell out injured.
The England international is yet to hit the heights expected of him after making a £73million move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, with nine goals and four assists in 54 appearances. But Fernandes believes he just needs confidence to perform at a consistent level.
“We need everyone available and back as soon as possible,” he said on MUTV. “Today Jadon got the chance to play a little bit more and he did his job really well, he scored his goal – and hopefully it will give him a boost for the future because we know how good Jadon can be. We just need him in full confidence to give his best for the team.”
Willy Gnonto made it 1-0 after just 55 seconds when Leeds pickpocketed Fernandes and the youngster played a one-two with Patrick Bamford to rifle into the bottom corner. United could not find an equaliser, with Alejandro Garnacho spurning two chances and Marcel Sabitzer going close.
Leeds made it 2-0 after straight after the break when Crysencio Summerville's cross flew past David de Gea via a deflection off Raphael Varane. Erik ten Hag made a double change in the 59th minute, with Wout Weghorst and Garnacho replaced by Sancho and Facundo Pellistri and it made a difference.
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Marcus Rashford headed in Diogo Dalot’s cross to make it 2-1 in the 62nd minute before Sancho curled into the bottom corner eight minutes later. Varane had a header tipped over by Illan Meslier as United searched for a winner which didn’t come.
Fernandes, who wears the captain’s armband when Harry Maguire is on the bench, was annoyed with the lack of intensity in the first few minutes of each half. United could have gone level on points with Manchester City with a win, but will now head to Elland Road to face Leeds again on Sunday with a point to prove.
“It’s always two points dropped at our home,” he said. “It has to be tough for everyone to come here, score goals and gain points from us. We gave up a point to Leeds, we lost two points for us. We could have won the game, because we had the chances at the end, we were a little bit unlucky in some situations but it’s gone now and we have to look forward to the next game.
“At this stadium, with these fans, these players with the desire and the passion we have, it will never be a problem. It can’t happen, to be 2-0 down, but whenever we go down, it will never be a problem to fight back and turn around the result.
"Today I have massive appreciation for the fans for what they did – they push us until the very end.”
