Bruno Fernandes insists he was fully justified in his decision to allow Marcus Rashford the chance to score Manchester United’s second goal against Everton from the penalty spot.
Erik ten Hag’s side returned to winning ways with what was ultimately a straightforward win over the toothless Toffees, courtesy of two first-half spot kicks both of which were earned by Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes tucked away his penalty after just 12 minutes and it was somewhat surprising to see the United skipper pass up the chance to double his tally 10 minutes before the interval.
The Portugal international’s decision was, ultimately vindicated, when Rashford sent Jordan Pickford the wrong way, allowing him the chance to score his first goal at Old Trafford since the middle of January.
‘We both kick the penalties. I asked Marcus if he wanted to take and he said he was confident,’ Fernandes told TNT Sport when asked why he handed penalty taking duties to his teammate.
‘He is one of the penalty takers that the manager chooses. I felt I had my one, Rashy could get his goal from the penalty.’
Champions League qualification, meanwhile, remains only a remote possibility for a United squad whose attention will now turn to the outcome of tomorrow’s match between Aston Villa and Tottenham, the two teams directly above the Red Devils in the table.
Marcus Rashford scored his first Old Trafford goal in two months from the penalty spot
Bruno Fernandes scored Manchester United’s opening goal from the penalty spot
‘Obviously we know we have to win every game that we have ahead,’ Fernandes added when asked what the objective for the rest of the season was.
