Bruno: My wonder strike was a team effort
Bruno Fernandes’s long-range strike against Sheffield United, on his weak foot, was a goal for everyone of a Manchester United persuasion to enjoy on Wednesday night.
The effort put the Reds 3-2 up, and ahead for the first time on the evening, as Bruno found the net for the second time in the eventual 4-2 victory at Old Trafford.
But despite the sheer beauty of the finish, Bruno says there was so much more to the goal, with important roles played by his team-mates to set it up.
“I think, obviously it’s a great strike, but I think the team [contribution] was great. That makes the space bigger,” he began, speaking to MUTV’s Liam Bradford at full-time.
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“Then the ball from Kobbie [Mainoo] is on the right time. He called me. That's something that is really important in football. He called me ‘time’ so I can turn.
“And when I turn, Rasmus [Hojlund] does a movement wide where he attracts the midfielder.
“And then another two movements to pin their last line back, that is, from Diogo [Dalot] and Garna [Alejandro Garnacho]. That gives me more space to hit the target.”
Fernandes registered two goals – having earlier netted from the penalty spot – and an assist on the evening, setting up Rasmus Hojlund just four minutes after his wonder strike.
And, speaking in his interview with club media, the skipper explained how he was also keen to tee up young debutant Ethan Wheatley for a special senior goal, after he was introduced late in the game.
The 18-year-old scored both of United’s goals in the 2-1 U18 Premier League Cup final success against Man City on Tuesday, and became the 250th Academy graduate to play for our first team, upon being brought on against the Yorkshiremen.
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“I hope he had his family and his friends here today to see him. Because it's a moment to not forget. It's something that he will always remember.
“I think at the end of the game I got a little bit too erratic to try to give him a goal because as I said, it's a young kid coming through the Academy. I know the moment is massive for him, and I think getting a goal in his first appearance would have been massive.
“I couldn't give the assist to him, but I tried at that moment [an overhit cross from the right, intended for Wheatley]. I rushed it a little bit too much. But I'm pretty sure that in the future, if he gets more chances, he will get his goals too.”