Sunday 09 March 2025 18:59
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Bruno Fernandes was recognised by Manchester United fans as our Man of the Match in the entertaining 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
The Reds had to withstand plenty of first-half pressure from the Gunners, but we were still able to take the lead in the closing moments of the opening period.
Of course, it was Fernandes who provided the moment of brilliance, curling home a magnificent free-kick in front of the Stretford End, to give us a one-goal advantage at the break.
We endeavoured after the interval, Fernandes playing his part in plenty of counterattacking play from the Reds as we went in search of either doubling or reinstating our lead – with Declan Rice having levelled as he struck an equaliser with fewer than 20 minutes remaining.
Neither side was able to take the advantage from that point, but it was clear to see why Fernandes was highlighted by supporters in our post-match poll.
Winning 68 per cent of the vote from fans having their say in the United App, Fernandes’s contribution against the Gunners marked a couple of individual milestones for our captain.
It was his second direct free-kick goal for the Reds in just a couple of weeks, having netted wonderfully away to Everton last month, and his fifth set-piece effort overall during his five years as a Red.
Three of those have now come this term, our no.8 also opening his account for the season with a free-kick goal against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. But with his other two strikes from free-kicks coming during the lockdown period, against Bournemouth in 2019/20 and Liverpool in 2020/21, this was his first effort of this kind on home soil in the Premier League.
The effort also marked this 25th goal contribution of the season in club colours.
Already with 13 assists to his name, Fernandes’ free-kick was his 12th strike of the campaign and he might even have extended that tally further against the Gunners.
The skipper was expertly denied by a last-gasp, close range save from David Raya in the Arsenal goal, after he’d sent Noussair Mazraoui’s centre towards goal. That duo had also combined earlier in the half for Fernandes to hit a first-time effort on target that was again saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
The tireless Mazraoui was Bruno’s closest challenger with 12 per cent of the vote.
Next up for Bruno and co. is the return leg of our Europa League round-of-16 tie against Real Sociedad.
La Real come to Old Trafford on Thursday, and you can get your tickets for the crunch clash by clicking here, with seats on sale to all Reds supporters.
We salute Bruno on another stellar display as we hope that continues in our crucial midweek fixture back at Old Trafford.
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Sunday 09 March 2025 18:59
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