Federico Fernandez reacts to Steve Bruce decision

A goal from Matty Longstaff gave Steve Bruce’s side the lead against Manchester United yesterday, but the home side took advantage of four individual errors to claim all three points.

Fernandez led the team with Jonjo Shelvey and Andy Carroll on the bench and Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett unavailable because of injury.

“The manager made me captain, and it’s a pleasure to represent this big club,” said Fernandez, who is out of contract at the end of the season. “Of course, we want to win the three points, but we didn’t.”

Bruce wanted to tap into Fernandez’s Premier League experience. Fernandez said: “For me, I’m professional and I try to work hard at the training ground. The manager sees that. He knows I’ve had five years in the Premier League as well.”

Longstaff, recalled to the staring XI, opened the scoring in the scoring in the 17th minute, but Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford scored later in the half. Rashford ended hopes of a comeback with a 51st-minute goal.

“We’re disappointed, especially because we started very well,” said Fernandez. “We had a few chances and scored. We didn’t play the same and we made a couple of mistakes. They punished us.

“At 3-1, we started the second half with the mentality to score the next goal. We didn’t, and it was a long second half.

“We’re disappointed because we started well. We were 1-0 up. That 10-15 minutes changed everything.

“That’s why we are disappointed. We try to do the right thing at home.”

Newcastle have the chance to make amends tomorrow afternoon when Everton visit a sold-out St James’s Park.

Carlo Ancelotti yesterday got off to a winning start as manager yesterday when his team beat Burnley 1-0 at Goodison Park.

“We go again at home, that’s a good thing,” said Fernandez. “We need to rest and prepare. Everton have changed manager, and will be more confident, but we need to carry on at home and take another three points.”