Man United’s Bruno Fernandes on penalty woes: ‘Need to study better’

Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted that he needs to be in a better position while taking penalties in the ongoing season. The Portuguese midfielder has struggled while taking the spot kick and it has added salt to injury for the Old Trafford-based club. 

Fernandes has missed crucial penalties in United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham and the 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the ongoing season and he is determined to pull up his socks.

“This season, out of three [penalties], I ended up missing two,” Fernandes told a news conference on Friday. “I don’t want to miss any of them. It’s something I need to study better. I’ll always do it with full conviction because there’s a coach who trusts me.”

Fernandes had missed a penalty against Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher. When asked about facing Kelleher when Portugal take on the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, Fernandes said: “Every day is a good day to settle scores.

“He was stronger. He did very well, and I didn’t. But it’s not something that affects my head. In a football team, there’s something bigger than individuality. Winning is much more important than settling scores with the Irish goalkeeper.”

The 31-year-old said playing for Portugal and Manchester United are two different things as he has been under the pump while playing for the club.

“They’re different things,” he said. “Here, it’s being at home, it’s speaking Portuguese, it’s eating Portuguese food. It makes me feel good. But I feel good in Manchester, I love the pressure. It means the goal is bigger, and I’m a person who enjoys challenges.

“I love representing the national team, it’s a source of pride. The pressure is the same whether I play for Portugal or for my club. The goal is the same: to win.”

Portugal registered a 1-0 win against Ireland after Ruben Neves scored in the stoppage time.