Fernandes scored two and assisted two more as Manchester United ran riot to beat Roma 6-2 at Old Trafford on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie.

 

The Portuguese has been a talismanic figure since his arrival at Manchester United in January last year and has often dragged the team over the last season-and-a-half.

 

 

There have also been stories about Fernandes’ demanding attitude in training and Irwin admitted that it is something everyone wants from players at big clubs such as Manchester United.

 

He stressed that it is clear Fernandes often is frustrated on the pitch when things are not going well and admits that it is not the kind of attitude he expects to see from a foreign player.

 

 

Irwin said on MUTV after the win over Roma: “You need players like that, I like players like that and fans like players like that.

 

“You can tell that he gets angry when things don’t go how they should do and you know it’s in him.

 

 

“It’s unusual at times to see a foreign player come in and be like that because it is kind of British and Irish like.

 

“It’s great to see, it really is.

 

“He wants to improve, he is a risk-taker so sometimes it doesn’t happen it doesn’t look great.”

 

Fernandes is Manchester United’s top scorer this season with 26 goals in all competitions and has provided 16 assists for his team-mates.