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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saluted Bruno Fernandes' perfectionist personality after the Manchester United midfielder's brilliant free-kick clinched a 3-2 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
Solskjaer's side added to Liverpool's woes as Fernandes capped a thrilling tie with his late strike at Old Trafford.
Premier League leaders United recovered from Mohamed Salah's early opener to score through Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.
Salah equalized before Portugal playmaker Fernandes came off the bench and underlined his class with a superb winner in the 78th minute.
Since his United debut in February 2020, Fernandes' 28 goals are more than any other Premier League player.
Fred of Manchester United jumps for the ball as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes evasive action during the FA Cup 4th Round match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 24, 2021. /CFP
Barcelona won again without the suspended Lionel Messi on Sunday as goals from Frenkie de Jong and Riqui Puig were enough to secure a scruffy 2-0 win over Elche in La Liga.
De Jong poked the ball over the line just before half-time at the Martinez Valero, which would have proved a suitably scrappy winner before Puig came off the bench to head in a second late on.
Despite an uninspiring performance, Ronald Koeman will be relieved to see Barca make it two consecutive victories without Messi and since their loss in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend to Athletic Bilbao, after an extra-time victory over Cornella in midweek.
Messi is still serving his punishment for being sent off in Seville but the Argentinian will be available again for Wednesday's Copa del Rey tie away at Rayo Vallecano.
Frenkie de Jong (R) of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Ivan Marcone of Elche CF during the La Liga match at Estadio Martinez Valero in Elche, Spain, January 24, 2021. /CFP
In his absence, De Jong stepped up, continuing his own resurgence in recent weeks with one of the simplest goals he will ever score and then an assist, following a more impressive run and cross for Puig.
"We are a better team this year. We've had to play all our games away and in La Liga we have won all of them so I think we have done well," said De Jong. "For me, playing better is not just about goals and assists but I'm happy of course to score and assist today."
The win moves Barca back up to third in La Liga, three points behind Real Madrid and seven adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Elche stay 19th, without a league win since October.
Besides, Luis Suarez scored a brilliant team goal as Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 and move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
(CGTN)
