The 30-year-old replaced the injured Fabian Schär, slotting into the back three alongside Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark.
And the Argentina international turned in a typically solid display on his return to the starting XI, sending over a fine cross to set up Lascelles’ opener for Steve Bruce’s men.
The goal meant United, who looked good value for their lead, went in a goal to the good at the break, but Jonny Otto’s equaliser snatched a point for Wolves after a sustained spell of pressure.
Fernández admitted he was disappointed that his team – who were reduced to ten men late on when Sean Longstaff was dismissed for a challenge on Rúben Neves – couldn’t be as dominant after the restart against Nuno Espiríto Santo’s side.
“I think in the first half we played really well – we controlled the game, moved the ball really well, created a few chances and scored a goal. We managed the first half well,” he told nufc.co.uk.
“The second half was totally different. We were in the same shape, but we didn’t pass the ball enough to create chances. They started pushing, we were good in our defensive shape to control them. But it was one action, they scored and after the red card, in the last 15 minutes, we got a point.
“We had to deal with it, but I think it was a perfect situation, 1-0 up at home, to show a little bit more. We needed to take care of the ball, find three or four passes in a row and try to be more aggressive and create chances. It’s disappointing that we weren’t good enough in the second half to make better chances.”
The former Swansea centre back’s assist – a well-weighted, hanging cross from the right – got the hosts up and running 37 minutes in.
“I was outside the box, and I saw the ball coming through the box. It was bouncing,” he reflected. “At first I thought I’d leave it to the corner, but then I decided to put in the cross.
“It was a decent cross! It found Jamaal, it was a great header and a good goal.”
Despite having to settle for a point, Fernández said he was glad to be back in the team having fought to regain his place in the backline since the start of this term.
And he has now set his sights on keeping his place for next Saturday’s trip to West Ham United (3pm kick-off).
“It felt great to make my first appearance for 90 minutes with the team. I feel good,” he said.
“Of course, as a player, you want to play more often, but the team had been doing well and today, defensively, we were doing a great job. We need to work a little bit more to keep the ball, play a bit more in the other half of the pitch and be aggressive.
“It’s another difficult away game, but we need to keep the same mentality and shape that we have been doing in the last few games and – of course – create enough chances to score goals that will help us to win games. That’s the most important thing.”
