Bruno Fernandes reveals why he gave Man Utd pal Marcus Rashford penalty against Istanbul Basaksehir while on hat-trick
BRUNO FERNANDES revealed why he passed up a hat-trick chance by handing a penalty over to Marcus Rashford last night.
The Portugal playmaker scored Man Utd’s first two goals inside 20 minutes against Istanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford.
"After the last game I told Rashy he could take the next one, and I remembered."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
"It doesn't matter who takes the penalties. The team scores."
Bruno Fernandes explained to @TheDesKelly his decision to let Marcus Rashford take Man Utd's penaltypic.twitter.com/g9wWBl9N6I
And the opportunity presented to complete a first-half Champions League hat-trick when Rashford was brought down.
But 26-year-old Fernandes handed the ball off to the striker to slot home from the spot instead.
He explained to BT Sport: “Of course every player wants to score a hat-trick, but after the last game in the Premier League I told Rashford he could take the next one.
“I remembered that. And also because he is one of the top-scorers in the Champions League I think it will be important for him to keep going there, and getting that confidence.
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“It doesn’t matter who takes the penalties, the most important thing is scoring, and the team scores. When the team scores, I score too.”
Daniel James added another goal in injury time as Man Utd won 4-1 to move within a point of reaching the knockout stages.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Marcus is a very good penalty taker as well. Bruno is very confident, but if he feels he wants to give it to Marcus so be it.
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“Anthony (Martial) had one against Leipzig so they can share them around.
“We created some great chances and some very nice goals – I’m very pleased.
“We need one more point to go through, but we want to be top of the group.”
