Manchester United target Fernandes shines again in Europa League

Manchester United and Tottenham have been keeping tabs on Bruno Fernandes and the duo would have been impressed with what they saw from the Portugal international on Thursday night as he scored two and assisted two in Sporting CP's resounding 4-0 win over PSV to star in our Europa League team of the week.

Goalkeeper: Silvio Proto (Lazio) - 8.25 rating 

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Lazio picked up a vital 1-0 win over CFR Cluj on Thursday night, with goalkeeper Silvio Proto impressing on his first start of the season for the Italian side. Indeed, the 36-year-old came away with the WhoScored man of the match award having gained a 8.25 rating, with his four saves vital in his clean-sheet attaining display. 

Right-back: Necip Uysal (Besiktas) - 8.30 rating 

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The first of two Besiktas representatives, Necip Uysal made 10 tackles as the Turkish side secured a 2-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, that a record in a Europa League match this season. Three interceptions and one clearance contributed towards the 28-year-old’s WhoScored rating of 8.30. 

Centre-back: Enzo Roco (Besiktas) - 8.37 rating 

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Pipping Uysal to the man of the match award in Besiktas’ 2-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, Enzo Roco came away from the narrow victory with a WhoScored rating of 8.37. The centre-back bagged a vital goal in the encounter, while additional returns of six clearances, two interceptions and one tackle helped earn Roco a place in this XI. 

Centre-back: Giorgios Merkis (APOEL) - 8.32 rating 

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Partnering Uysal at the heart of the defence in this side is APOEL’s Giorgios Merkis. The experienced Cypriot, like Uysal, also netted as APOEL earned a 2-0 win at F91 Dudelange. Seven clearances and five aerial duels won meant the 35-year-old was good value for his WhoScored rating of 8.32. 

Left-back: Nuno Sequeira (Braga) - 8.00 rating 

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Rounding off the defence is Braga’s Nuno Sequeira. The left-back had a decisive role to play in their entertaining 3-3 draw with Wolves as he provided two assists in the stalemate on home turf. Those two assists came from two key passes, while five tackles and four interceptions saw Sequeira earn a spot in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.00. 

Right midfield: Adama Traore (Wolves) - 9.07 rating 

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Remaining in Braga, no player has completed more dribbles in a Europa League match than Adama Traore and his 10 in the 3-3 draw. The Spaniard bagged a goal in the entertaining encounter to help him return a WhoScored rating of 9.07. 

Central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Sporting) - 9.77 rating 

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Our Europa League player of the week with a WhoScored rating of 9.77, Bruno Fernandes was exceptional in Sporting CP’s 4-0 win over PSV. The in-demand midfielder had a direct hand in all four goals on Thursday night, scoring two from five shots and providing two assists from three key passes. Two successful dribbles ensured Fernandes topped the player rating leaderboard this week. 

Central midfield: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma) - 9.09 rating 

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Roma secured a commendable 3-0 win at Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday night, with Lorenzo Pellegrini influential in the victory. The Italian midfielder provided two assists in Turkey, those coming from six key passes. Off the ball, Pellegrini excelled as he made three tackles to return a WhoScored rating of 9.09.

Left midfield: Benjamin Verbic (Dynamo Kyiv) - 8.43 rating

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Arguably one of the games of the night, Malmoe earned a hard-fought 4-3 win over Dynamo Kyiv in Sweden with Benajamin Verbic on hand to net one of Dynamo’s three goals in the entertaining clash. The winger hit the back of the net with one of four shots and completed five dribbles to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.43.

Striker: Raul Jimenez (Wolves) - 8.51 rating

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The second Wolves player to make the cut, Raul Jimenez has had a direct hand in five Europa League goals this season, three of which came in Braga. The Mexican scored one and assisted two from respective returns of three shots and three key passes as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.51.

Striker: Vincent Aboubakar (FC Porto) - 8.71 rating

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The final round of Group G fixtures will be ones to watch as Vincent Aboubakar’s brace gave FC Porto the opportunity to progress as group winners. The Cameroonian excelled on his first Europa League start of the season with his two goals coming from five shots. A WhoScored rating of 8.71 was enough to land the man of the match award and join Jimenez on the frontline in our Europa League team of the week.