Fortune Favors Brave Approach

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune is hoping the current players are as positive against PSV Eindhoven as they were in the second half against Liverpool at the weekend.

The South African enjoyed watching the likes of Ashley Young and debutant Anthony Martial take the initiative at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, when the attacking pair put the visitors firmly on the back foot after being summoned from the bench by Louis van Gaal. And while PSV will provide a different test for the players and the tacticians on the coaching staff, Fortune admits he’d love to see a similar approach to the one which sank rivals Liverpool at the Stretford End.

"Winning games is always easier said than done, as we saw in the goalless first half against Liverpool," said Fortune, when speaking to ManUtd.com on the flight to Eindhoven.

"But if we can have the same performance as we did in the second half on Saturday, then I have no doubt we can get a good result tomorrow [Tuesday] night.

"We started to be more positive when Ashley Young came on. He was running at people, something he seems to do in every game he plays. Anthony Martial was also positive when he scored his goal, when he could have easily just sat back and played a simple pass instead. It’s great to see.

"Memphis has got that ability as well, to go past people and ask questions of defenders. It’s great when you have players who are willing to run at their opponents in the final third.”

Fortune is travelling with United in a commercial role but the trip to Eindhoven inevitably stirs memories of his playing days in the Champions League, a competition he appeared in 28 times for the Reds.

"I'm very honoured to be part of this trip, with the team back in the Champions League," the ex-midfielder told us.

"It was a frustrating year when we were not involved in the competition but the manager, the coaching staff and the players did well last season. The goal was to get into Europe and now we're here, it's all about making sure we get a good performance.

"I had some great experiences in the Champions League as a player. For example, I was very fortunate to play against Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the game when we won 4-3 but lost on aggregate and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, scored a hat-trick against us and got a standing ovation.

"I came on for the last 15 minutes and it wasn't my best 15 minutes because I started kicking everyone! But it was a good performance by the team and a special night even though we went out.

"I also enjoyed playing against AC Milan, a team I grew up watching as a kid. To play against Paolo Maldini, who I had on my wall as a kid, was fantastic. In 1990, I was watching the World Cup in Italy from my home in Cape Town and then, years later, I ended up playing at the San Siro for Manchester United. These are nights you remember for the rest of your life."