By Jimmy
Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes has explained why he passed up the chance to take a penalty in their 3-0 win over Everton.
The Red Devils had already taken the lead in the third minute through Alejandro Garnacho’s wonder strike, and Anthony Martial scored the third late in the match.
However, eyebrows were raised over the second goal which came from the penalty spot after VAR deemed that Ashley Young had tripped Martial in the box. Referee John Brooks initially waved away United’s penalty appeals and booked Martial for simulation. But he reversed his decision following a VAR review, awarding the away side a spot kick.
United’s regular penalty taker Fernandes initially took possession of the ball but then handed it to Rashford, who blasted it past Jordan Pickford to score his second goal of the season.
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Explaining his decision, Fernandes told Sky Sports: “Because Marcus needed a bit of confidence, he needed his goal. He is an excellent penalty taker. I was sure he could score that penalty and Marcus did it perfectly.
“I think obviously strikers and wingers need to score goals, it is part of their game. Marcus was unstoppable and he could take on everybody.”
Rashford’s dramatic loss of form has been a major talking point in the current campaign and fans were quick to praise Fernandes for helping to boost the striker’s confidence after a lean period.
“This is why Bruno Fernandes IS captain material,” posted one fan on X.
“He knows Rashford is struggling for form, and confidence and goals and he handed him the ball to take the penalty to get him going.”
“Bruno Fernandes is amazing for giving Rashford the penalty considering he’s been out of form & needs his confidence back. That’s my captain right there,” added another.
A third wrote: “Class captaincy by Bruno Fernandes. Respect.”
While a fourth added: “Fernandes is class there giving the pen to Rashford. He knows he needs that goal.”
