What Portugal coach loved about Bruno Fernandes's performance

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez suggested Bruno Fernandes is underappreciated after their Nations League victory over Poland on Saturday night.

Fernandes started in Portugal's 3-1 victory in Warsaw, where he neatly assisted Bernardo Silva's opening goal with a cushioned header.

The Manchester United captain has failed to score in 11 club appearances this season and Fernandes has managed only one assist in the Premier League.

Fernandes was sent off in successive matches against Tottenham and Porto, his first dismissals as a United player. United successfully appealed against the straight red card against Spurs but Fernandes will be suspended for their Europa League tie away to Fenerbahce next week.

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Portugal are top of Group A1 and face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday. Martinez had defended Fernandes before the squad gathered and he reserved praise for him following victory in Poland.

“Pedro Neto is at Chelsea and ready for the highest level," Martinez said at his post-match press conference. "He is an incredible player, a disruptor.

"Bernardo Silva can play anywhere, he doesn’t have a fixed position. In the European Championship, he sometimes played more in midfield and other times more on the wing.

"Sometimes I feel we speak a lot about the squad lists and the players that get left out. And I think because of that we are missing out on enjoying players like Bernardo Silva, like Bruno Fernandes, who are incredible in the way they play for the national team with that heart and that composure and these are moments to treasure."

Fernandes was substituted in added time in Portugal's victory while club colleague Diogo Dalot played the full duration.