BRUNOLANDS KO AS UNITED REACH FIFTH
BRIGHTON ....... 0 MAN UTD ......... 3
BRUNO FERNANDES struck a goal-of-the-season contender – then declared United’s magical midfield duo do not solely deserve the spotlight.
The Portuguese netted in each half after Mason Greenwood’s opener to lift the Reds into fifth place.
Man-of-the-match Fernandes’ second goal was a spectacular counterattack as United made it 15 games unbeaten.
His relationship with Paul Pogba has prompted excitement among the United faithful.
But Fernandes said: “I don’t want to talk too much about me and Paul – we are happy to play together but I am happy to play with everyone.
“We can combine together, we have qualities, but we know we have teammates who can do well.”
Fernandes had already rattled a post before Greenwood put United ahead just 16 minutes in.
The 18-year-old has been lauded as United’s next big thing.
And the way he picked up the ball in midfield, glided forward and tricked defenders with step-overs was brilliant before squeezing a low shot inside Brighton keeper Mat Ryan’s near post.
After 29 minutes it was 2-0. Luke Shaw overlapped from the left-back slot, pulled the ball back, Pogba got the ball to Fernandes and it took a deflection to beat the Seagulls keeper.
United’s best goal was still to come though – five minutes after the break.
Brighton were actually pushing forward but Nemanja Matic swept the ball wide to the left for Greenwood who raced away then put over an inch-perfect cross. In raced Fernandes at the back post to volley home.
It was a beautiful goal, lightning quick and underlined his quality plus United’s credentials.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now 15 games unbeaten but this is also the most fun, entertaining and exciting they have been to watch in years.
He said: “I don’t care about making a statement – I know we are a good team. We will recover then focus on the next one.”