Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes bagged a worldie to draw his side level in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool yesterday, and while it was not enough to ensure that the Red Devils picked up all three points, the goal and the technique with which it was taken reminded everyone how brilliant the Portugal international midfielder can be on his day.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were blown away by the goal, showering praise on the Red Devils star on the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, while Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, who is currently on loan at Barcelona took to Instagram to express his delight.
“I know it took a huge error from Liverpool to get them back into the game, but my God, what a finish that was from Bruno Fernandes, right?,” Shearer said.
“It was an unbelievable finish.”
“Brilliant finish,” Lineker replied.
Scoring from the centre-circle is not for everyone as it takes great technique to get the angle and strike right, and Fernandes will be hoping to add more of those goals to his repertoire.
Liverpool centre-back Jarrell Quansah played a backwards pass through the middle of the pitch towards Virgil van Dijk but it ended up at the feet of Fernandes instead, and with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher a few miles off his line, the Man United star wasted no time trying out his luck from distance.
It was the Red Devils’ first goal from outside the box against Liverpool in 19 years, and breaking a long-standing record with such a strike made it sweeter.
Man United almost won despite not playing well, and manager Erik ten Hag will hope such moments of brilliance can become more frequent going forward this term as they need them if they are to play in the Champions League next term.
