Club captain Bruno Fernandes exhibited some stellar leadership skills after scoring a brilliant winner in Manchester United’s 1-0 win away at Burnley on Saturday night
Bruno Fernandes gave his Player of the Match award to Jonny Evans
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes gave his Player of the Match award to Jonny Evans after the 1-0 win away at Burnley.
It was Fernandes who enjoyed the role of match winner at Turf Moor, with his expertly taken volley proving the difference between the two teams. However, Evans more than played his part after being handed a surprise start - his first one in the league for United in eight years - amid a defensive injury crisis.
Minutes before Fernandes scored the only goal of the game, Evans actually had the ball in the net himself. The Northern Ireland international rose highest to nod home from a corner, but Rasmus Hojlund was deemed to be in the line of sight of Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford while standing in an offisde position and the goal was chalked off.
Evans is far too experienced to let that decision impact the rest of his game and simply turned provider, lofting a perfectly weighted 40-yard pass into the path of Fernandes who lashed home first time. Come full-time, the pair were full of praise for each other, with the goalscorer telling TNT Sports: “It was a great pass from Jonny [Evans].
“I know he has great qualities playing the ball in behind with both feet. I was waiting for it [the pass]. Burnley give space behind but it was tough to get that at times and we took the chance when it was there,” he continued.
“We know that we have been in a tough bit of momentum but we knew we could come back from it. Obviously today the performance was not the best but we got the three points which is the most important thing.”
Fernandes also went on to compliment United’s hosts for the evening, adding: “We knew the game today would be tough. Burnley play very well and to be honest I do not think that the points they have reflects how good they are. We are happy to take the win home today.”
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Bruno Fernandes and Jonny Evans embrace after the game’s only goal
Due to his game winning goal, Fernandes was given the Player of the Match award, but the United captain quickly handed it to Evans. Reflecting on his first United start for a number of years, Evans confessed: “I loved every minute of it. Before the game, sometimes you get a feeling and I just felt like I couldn’t wait. Coming up today on the bus, I was just so buzzing.”
Manager Erik ten Hag was a tad more measured, but did single Evans out for praise. “He [Evans] gave the team calmness,” the Dutchman claimed. “His skills were brilliant, as with the goal.”
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Ten Hag was delighted with how his players battled for all three points, telling BBC Sport: “It was clear. Of course we needed that win. We had a tough run of games against good opponents. It wasn’t necessary to lose those games. Today was must-win.
“The team spirit and how they fight together [was impressive]. It was a team attacking with 11 and defending with 11. They supported each other.
“A lot has been against us, like injuries and decisions. Like tonight. Murphy’s Law where everything goes against us. You have to fight and find a turning point. It shows the dressing room is together. They fight together.”
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