We kept focus until the very end, says spot king Bruno

BRUNO FERNANDES revealed the key role Fred played in ensuring the Manchester United penalty-taker kept his focus to score the winning goal at Brighton.

United were awarded a penalty after a VAR intervention in the dying stages of their clash at the Amex Stadium, just moments after Solly March appeared to have secured a 2-2 draw.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were outplayed for much of the contest, though led thanks to a Lewis Dunk own goal and Marcus Rashford’s sublime solo effort.

But added-time drama saw Fernandes given the chance to win it, even after March’s headed leveller.

The Portuguese playmaker then told MUTV that Fred kept Brighton’s players at bay as Fernandes was trying to keep his composure ahead of the penalty, which he duly converted to make it 3-2.

“As everyone starts shouting, discussion and VAR and everything, I try keep away, take the ball and try and keep the focus,” said Fernandes.

“I saw the keeper taking his bottles and everyone, the towel came out, so I was just taking the ball, waiting, ‘focus on what you have to do’.

“Of course, sometimes we say you have to have balls to take a penalty like this.

“I know everyone trusts in me, everyone expects me to score, and it was a big part of the game like I said. Penalties are key in some games and today was key.

“Doesn’t matter if I score, or if someone else scores, what matters is the three points we’re taking home.

“After we had the penalty, everyone was fighting for everything: ‘penalty, no penalty’.

“We kept the focus until the end. I felt the trust of everyone behind me.

“I see Fred fighting with everyone who was coming to take out my focus, taking away the players from Brighton.”

Fernandes then added his belief that winning games ugly, and against the run of play, is what United needed.

They were second best for much of the contest, with Brighton hitting the woodwork five times, yet somehow emerged with the victory.

“I feel like sometimes we need to suffer right until the end to win some games,” he added.

“Sometimes you don’t play well but you win, and big teams are like that.

You need to win, doesn’t matter how. You need to suffer until the end, you need to focus and take the three points home.

“We know we need to do much better and have the qualities to do much better.

“We conceded so many chances, so we know we need to defend much better from the front and in the midfield. Everything needs to be better.”