MANCHESTER UNITED star Bruno Fernandes has hit back at rival criticism about his penalty-scoring exploits – claiming it’s very tough to score from 12 yards.
Since joining United in January, Fernandes has scored 12 times, with EIGHT of those coming from 12 yards.
Bruno Fernandes has hit back at critics of his penalty-scoring exploitsCredit: Reuters
After the restart, Man Utd were awarded spot-kick after spot-kick – with Fernandes ever reliable in the league, FA Cup and Europa League.
But despite rivals fans poking fun of ‘Penandes’ and the ‘inevitable’ United penalty each game, Fernandes has hit back – insisting it’s not as easy as everyone thinks.
Seemingly more and more penalties are being awarded in the Premier League – with a hatful already seen through just two matchdays in 2020-21.
When asked about the spate of spot-kicks, Fernandes told the Man Utd website: “We can’t talk a lot about penalties because everybody will say: ‘Bruno only scores penalties’
.
“If the others score them, it’s no problem. They just score a penalty, you know?
“Penalties are part of the game. You need to score. You have the chance but you need to score.
“I know everyone is talking about them like it’s easy, but you can lose a final with a penalty.
“Man Utd won the Champions League in Moscow with penalties [in 2008].
“For most people, it’s easy when you’re in front of the TV.
‘It is easy – just look at the goalkeeper jump to his left so why don’t you shoot to the right?
‘.
“Yeah, I can shoot to the right but, on my mind, was the left and the goalkeeper saved it. It can happen.
“But the most important thing, for me, is to keep scoring.
“
And Fernandes insisted he isn’t obsessed with hogging penalty-taking duties – with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba all more than capable.
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The Portuguese star continued: “It doesn’t matter if I take penalties.
“Rashy was the guy who took the penalties so I tell him, ‘When you feel confident, if you want to take the penalty, for me, it is not a problem.’
I will not fight.
“I feel confident with penalties and I want to take them but, if someone comes to me to ask to take a penalty, I will not fight every time, just to take a penalty.
“In that moment, I can be tired or not prepared to take a penalty and I can say easily, ‘You take it’.
“I trust in my team-mates – Rashy, Anthony and also Paul, they have a lot of qualities and can take it.
“We have really good penalty-takers. The most important thing is scoring for Manchester United.
“It doesn’t matter if it is Bruno or someone else.”
Bruno Fernandes’ penalty technique at Sporting Lisbon
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
