Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes appears to have benefited from a rare breather against Newcastle United last week.

The Portugal international was unavailable for the Magpies' visit to Old Trafford after being sent-off in United's 2-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day. The 2-0 reverse to Newcastle marked the first game Fernandes had missed since Ruben Amorim's appointment as United head coach at the start of November.

Unsurprisingly, he was recalled to the starting XI for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool and he produced arguably his best performance of the season. Aggressive both with and without the ball, the 30-year-old worked tirelessly for the team and provided the assist for Lisandro Martinez's opener.

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And in the opinion of Redknapp, his performance suggested to him that he had been rejuvenated after playing no part in the defeat to Newcastle.

"My player of the week this week is Bruno Fernandes, I thought he was brilliant against Liverpool," said Redknapp, speaking to football betting site BetVictor. "He's a player that's divided opinion down the years but when he's in this form, what a player he is.

"He showed so much class, so much composure in what was such a chaotic game. Obviously, he let his side down when he got sent off against Wolves, but that little break seems to have done him good."

Harry Maguire joined Fernandes in bagging a place in Redknapp's team of the week after getting the nod at centre-back ahead of Leny Yoro. He justified his inclusion, producing a solid showing in the heart of the back-three.

"I'm putting Harry Maguire in the side. I thought he was terrific at Anfield and dealt with most things that came his way," Redknapp added: "He was always a threat from set pieces and gave that backline some real leadership.

"The less said about that chance at the end though, albeit it was hardly the greatest of passes to him. Ruben Amorim wants to keep him at the club for another year, and you can see why."