Bruno Fernandes sends a message to Harry Maguire after Man Utd’s recent difficulties

Bruno Fernandes recognizes that Harry Maguire can put his nightmare week behind him and help lead Manchester United to a bright future.

Maguire headed home against Newcastle on Saturday to cancel Luke Shaw’s own goal, ultimately inspiring his team to victory when he saw Steve Bruce’s side 4-1.

Fernandes, Aaron-Wan Bissaka and Marcus Rashford scored late to secure the three points at St James’ Park.

But it was Maguire who got the ball rolling, restoring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s faith after the coach ignored calls to leave his employer following his red card on international duty last week.

The defender was sent off in the 31st minute of the England League of Nations game against Denmark, after receiving two cautions for awkward fouls.

That followed a below-average performance in United’s 6-1 win at the hands of Tottenham in their last Premier League outing before the international break.

Maguire’s confidence was said to have been affected by his ongoing legal battle as the 27-year-old awaited a retrial after appealing his aggravated battery conviction, resisting arrest and bribery following an incident in Mykonos during summer.

But Fernandes was impressed with the way the central midfielder handled the pressure in a victory he called “fantastic”.

“We played very well today,” said Fernandes, speaking with Match of the day . “The game was fantastic for us.

“Newcastle have a really good team, they play well and have good players, but I think we deserve the victory today.”

Of Maguire, he said: “He’s a great man. He’s playing for the national team and Manchester United.”

“Of course, it is difficult for all the players to be under fire, but he did what he had to do on the field. He scored. We can push him and he can push us.”

While Fernandes scored late in the game to turn the score around in his team’s favor, he had previously missed an opportunity from 12 yards when his penalty was saved by Newcastle Karl Darlow.

It was the first time the Portugal midfielder failed from place in 11 successful attempts in the Premier League, and only the third time he had been denied in 33 attempts in total during his career.

On the change of technique for the penalty, Fernandes said: “I already change sometimes. Today it does not work.

“I need to do what is best for the game, today was not the right choice but it doesn’t matter, missing the penalty I have to keep improving in the next games.”