Bruno Fernandes has explained his controversial equalizer that kicked off Manchester United’s comeback against rivals Manchester City.
Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford in round 19 of the Premier League thanks to two goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford after Jack Grealish’s opener.
This is MU’s controversial victory when the 1-1 equalizer is causing the whole world of football to debate its validity. In the 78th minute, Casemiro made a sharp pass, both Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes rushed to the ball, Rashford fell into a clear offside position, and Bruno Fernandes was not offside. In the end, Rashford did not touch the ball but let Bruno finish close to the net into Ederson’s net.
Rashford was offside and chased the ball. PHOTO: BT SPORTS
According to the new rule, a player who is in an offside position but does not touch the ball, participate in a scoring situation, or obstruct the opponent, the goal is still valid. However, in this phase, Rashford did not touch the ball, but he still followed the ball to the last moment. Because the rule can be interpreted in many different ways, this goal has created endless controversy.
After the game, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes explained that he and Marcus Rashford thought very quickly in handling the situation. Bruno insists the home team’s goal is completely valid.
Initially, the line referee raised the flag to warn Rashford offside, Bruno Fernandes immediately rushed to protest. After VAR and the referees exchanged, MU’s goal was recognized. At this time, it was the turn of the Man City players to protest against the referee’s decision, but was powerless.
Bruno Fernandes “pressing” the referee and he succeeded. PHOTO: GETTY
Bruno Fernandes explained on BT Sport (England): ‘Because I was facing goal and Marcus Rashford probably saw me in a better position. At the time, I didn’t know if any of us were offside but it didn’t matter because no one was closer to Rashford. It didn’t affect the defending team, it was a goal. And at the end of the game, we were relieved by that.”
Bruno Fernandes went on to say: ‘Winning the game is always important, coach Erik Ten Hag told us before the game that, the opponent is not really important, the important thing is to win and we did. Okay. It was a great comeback and a great effort from the team.
I said before the game with the whole team, now we look like a team. A few months ago you could see a team sometimes, sometimes we care about ourselves a little bit, now you’re seeing the right team and it’s paid off.”
Bruno Fernandes and MU players celebrate a goal. PHOTO: GETTY
Meanwhile, Man City’s coach Pep Guardiola congratulated MU’s victory, but the Spanish teacher confirmed that Rashford had distracted his players and did not know who to follow in the 1-1 equalizer.
Pep Guardiola said on BT Sport: ‘Congratulations Manchester United. But people also see how great Manchester City is. This is a great match. We had better control in the second half against Rashford and their nimble players. We had the right mentality to do it.
We have to improve when we concede a goal, be more consistent, the time between the first and second goals is too close. All in all, I have no regrets. I don’t care if we don’t win. Carabao Cup or Premier League, we will try. I don’t care how the other team is, I just care how we perform.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City lost to rivals MU in the derby. PHOTO: MIRROR
The Premier League still has a lot of points to win and we have to keep playing. In every game we have to show. We always play in games like this and in other games we struggle a little bit.”