Bruno Fernandes has conceded Manchester United’s dressing room is disappointed to lose the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
After winning the Carabao Cup in February, United had the chance to complete a double in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but City won the game 2-1 thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan.
Gunodgan opened the scoring in the first minute of the final and although Fernandes produced an equaliser through a penalty, City’s lead was restored in the second half.
Fernandes reflected on the display and said the dressing room were devasted for not giving the fans what they wanted.
“Everyone is down, it’s really difficult. We wanted to end the season in a different way,” Fernandes told the BBC. “It wasn’t possible, but we’re aware we’ve made the right steps for the future next season. It’s not a successful season overall but it’s good.
“We now have to look forward to getting our batteries back, come next season and understand it’s still a long way to get into the position to win better trophies and bigger achievements. We came back into the game.
“We started in a really bad way and in the first half, we had some really good spells on the ball. After we scored, we had some more chances where we could have scored again. In the second half again, we concede an early goal, an amazing goal by Gundogan.
“We still had some chances to score, but we didn’t and City were good winners. The first goal was probably too soft, too much space in the middle, yes, but it was an amazing goal. Obviously, if someone was tighter on him [it might have been prevented].
“But you have to give credit to him. It’s two amazing goals with his left foot by an amazing player. I’ve said in the past he’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he’s won the game for City today.
“They have been great all season, they deserve a different result today. The disappointment in the dressing room is also because we couldn’t give the fans what they deserved for supporting us. We are really grateful.”
