European Team of the Week: New Man United maestro Bruno Fernandes features with Lionel Messi

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  • Every week we pick 22 of the best performing players in Europe’s top five leagues and, with your help, narrow it down to the best XI.

    Using polls on our Instagram stories, we pit players in each position against each other and let you decide who deserves to make the cut.

    Bruno Fernandes marks a first appearance by a Manchester United player in our XI while two Borussia Dortmund defenders and the irresistible Lionel Messi makes the cut, too.

    Follow our Instagram page to get involved.

    Here’s what our latest European Team of the Week looks like:

    GK: Aitor Fernandez (Levante)

    A poor punch out nearly saw Casemiro score but Fernandez was on the money for the rest of the contest with Real Madrid. He made seven saves and kept a clean sheet against the Spanish giants, denying Karim Benzema and Luka Modric in the first half and thwarting Eden Hazard in a one-on-one during the second.

    RB: Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund)

    His final ball was a little wayward at times but Hakimi still managed to set up Erling Haaland brilliantly. He was also a constant threat going forward against Werder Bremen, registering two key passes and three dribbles.

    CB: Jules Kounde (Sevilla)

    The manner in which he scored his goal, Sevilla’s third at Getafe, was impressive. He charged forward and struck a drilled effort into the far corner from inside the box. Meanwhile, he also put in a shift defensively, making six clearances.

    CB: Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund)

    Never put a foot wrong at the back and was the starting point of Dortmund’s build-up play. His tally of 106 passes was the most in the game. He also showed good awareness and technique to latch on to Jadon Sancho’s cross and volley it home.

    LB: Angelino (RB Leipzig)

    Furthered his reputation as an attacking full-back with a well-taken goal during the 5-0 demolition of Schalke. He had little to do in defence but got forward well with four dribbles during the encounter.

    RW: Renato Steffen (Wolfsburg)

    Scored a brace against Mainz but deserves to be in this XI for his second goal alone. His shot from the edge of the box was blocked but he pounced on the rebound, executed a roulette to evade two defenders, nutmegged a third and finished off a glorious solo effort with a cheeky toe-poke. Pure genius.

    CM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

    Quickly becoming a fan favourite at Old Trafford with his creative, influential play. He created four chances during a 3-0 win over Watford, bagging an assist for the final third. The Portuguese also opened his account for the Red Devils, winning the penalty before converting with a classy execution.

    CM: Marquinhos (PSG)

    The Brazilian was key for Paris Saint-Germain during a thrilling 4-3 win over Bordeaux. He competed well in the middle of the park, showing good distribution. He also scored twice from set-pieces and made a vital goal-line clearance at the other end.

    LW: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

    Made the breakthrough for Bayern amid a crowd of players, taking his Bundesliga tally into double figures for the season, before going on to set up Robert Lewandowski twice. Terrorised Paderborn’s defence, completing five dribbles on the day.

    ST: Edin Dzeko (Roma)

    He scored one of four Roma goals against Lecce but his performance went beyond just hitting the back of the net. He also had four key passes, four dribbles and an assist in what was an influential display from the Bosnian.

    ST: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

    It’s Messi up front again and after ending his goal ‘drought’ of four games with a quadruple against Eibar, who can deny him his place? His first during the 5-0 win was vintage Messi, dribbling past four defenders before tucking away the finish.

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