Bruno Fernandes says he was on penalty duty for Manchester United in their 2-1 victory over Villarreal after being selected by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before the game.
The 27-year-old missed a vital last minute penalty for United in their defeat to Aston Villa last week but he has the backing of his manager to put things right the next time his team get a penalty.
Despite missing his latest attempt from the spot? Fernandes still has a conversion rate of 91.30 per cent since moving to Old Trafford having scored with 21 of his previous 23 efforts.
Speaking after the clash Fernandes confirmed United’s new penalty policy after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival and claimed he would have been tasked with taking one against Villarreal.
“I was on penalties but we didn’t get one,” he told reporters Jules Breach after the game. “The manager will decide before the game who takes it.”
In the end Solskjaer’s side did not need to rely on Fernandes’ composure from 12-yards to secure the win over Villarreal thanks to a superb winner from Ronaldo late into the match.
The La Liga side had dominated for the majority of the game but saw Paco Alcacer’s opening goal cancelled out by Alex Telles’ remarkable first goal for United.
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Ronaldo’s winner deep into added time saw the club secure their first three points in the Champions League this campaign and left them third in Group F ahead of back-to-back games against leaders Atalanta.