This time, there were no histrionics, play-acting or petulant strops.
Just honest endeavour, a laser-like focus, two assists, a goal and a yellow card from Manchester United's skipper. The 72 hours since the 7-0 debacle at Liverpool were painful for every Manchester United player, but particularly so for Bruno Fernandes.
Branded a “disgrace” by former United captain Gary Neville, who accused him of asking to be subbed as the goals flew in at Liverpool, Fernandes saw his suitability to lead the team called into question. If any one player epitomised United's meek capitulation at Anfield, it was the Portuguese, who stopped running and effectively threw in the towel when the game went beyond Erik ten Hag's side.
Another former United captain, Roy Keane, joined in the criticism of the Portugal star, accusing him and other senior players of failing to show any kind of leadership. Against that backdrop, the pressure was on Fernandes on Thursday night to vindicate Ten Hag's decision to allow him to wear the armband whenever club captain Harry Maguire is not playing.
Fernandes, sensing the scrutiny he was under and the need to atone, was on it from the start, determined to lead by example and make up for last Sunday's nadir. He played a key role in United's opener, his ball into the Real Betis area mis-controlled by Luiz Felipe and seized upon by Marcus Rashford, who scored with a thumping finish.
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United's No.8 earned the acclaim of the home fans, who broke into a passionate chant of “Bruno! Bruno!” on the half-hour mark, when he made a key challenge on Betis veteran Joaquin. Having assisted Rashford for the opener, Fernandes also provided the assist for United's second, turning his marker then finding Antony, who did the rest with a sublime, curling and clinical finish.
Fernandes got the goal he deserved just before the hour, planting a header from a corner beyond Claudio Bravo to complete his act of redemption, having lost the plot at Anfield. Fernandes threatened to ruin his impressive night with a studs-up challenge on Bravo with 22 minutes left, for which he was booked, but this was a night on which he was rehabilitated as a leader.
