Erik ten Hag says with Scott McTominay on the pitch for Man United, Bruno Fernandes becomes 'more of a midfielder' than attacker.
McTominay scored a later header as United continued their recent resurgence with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
The Scotland midfielder's late winner at Villa Park was the third time he has climbed off the bench to score a crucial goal for the Reds.
While McTominay has been praised for the goals, Ten Hag believes Bruno has also been effective in playing deeper whenever the Scotsman is on the pitch.
Asked about the winning goal, he said: “[It meant] Bruno could become more of a midfielder than in the offensive.
"I understand the players see the spaces and go for goal in such moments because they are offensive, they want to score goals.
"But I think it was better in certain situations to keep the ball and let the opponent run, drag them out and then it will open up.
"And so that was more the idea to bring an extra midfielder there. But with Scott, you have a player who can score a goal.”
McTominay is now the joint-highest scoring sub in the Premier League this season with Joao Pedro of Brighton, while his six league goals are more than in his previous three seasons put together.
