Watch: Bruno Fernandes squanders great Man Utd chance vs. Arsenal
Bruno Fernandes wasted a great opportunity to draw Manchester United level during their Premier League match at Arsenal.
United travelled to London for Saturday’s game needing a victory to reignite their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
But Ralf Rangnick’s side, which didn’t include Harry Maguire after he was benched for ‘non-footballing reasons’, fell behind early after some calamitous defending.
Both Raphael Varane and Alex Telles failed to deal with a routine shot and, after Bukayo Saka’s effort was parried by David de Gea, Nuno Tavares was there to give Arsenal an early lead.
Despite this early set-back, United poured forward and should have equalised after an error from Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Under no real pressure, Ramsdale passed the ball straight to Scott McTominay who slipped the ball straight into the path of Fernandes.
But, despite it seeming easier to score, the Portugal international’s chip was thwarted by a great block from Gabriel. Even so, Fernandes would surely have backed himself to draw United level.
Rangnick revealed that Fernandes had made a dressing room speech following United’s 4-0 loss at Liverpool on Tuesday night.
“We had a conversation in the locker room right now where Bruno also said something towards the team, and I said something. In the end, right now, it doesn’t help,” the United interim boss said.
Fernandes also conceded that United are nowhere near the same level as Manchester City and Liverpool.
“Liverpool were just better than us, they did everything they had to do to win the game, and they deserved it,” said Fernandes.
‘”Obviously this season has not been the best for us, we’re waiting for a different season, this one we thought it could be a different one but obviously we’re not at the same level as Manchester City and Liverpool.
“They are better than us at this moment and we have to accept that.”
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