Bruno Fernandes is now Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer from penalties, after netting his 29th from the spot against Everton.
Alejandro Garnacho was felled by James Tarkowski just ten minutes into United’s clash with the Toffees at Old Trafford, with referee Simon Hooper having no hesitation in awarding a penalty.
Fernandes, who has received strong backing from manager Erik ten Hag after recent criticism, stepped up to slot past Jordan Pickford from 12 yards – the 29th time he has converted a penalty for the Red Devils.
That took the Portuguese clear of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who both had decent penalty records during their stints at Old Trafford.
Rooney is United’s all-time record goalscorer on 253 goals – achieved over the course of a 13-season career in Manchester – and Fernandes still has a long way to go if he’s to get anywhere near that feat.
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But the 29-year-old is already up to 72 goals in all competitions for United, despite struggling for form during the 2023/24 season. His strike against Everton was just his fourth goal in the Premier League and seventh in all competitions.
Fernandes’ drop-off is stark when you consider his goalscoring prowess during his first 18 months at Old Trafford. The £68m signing scored 40 goals in all competitions in that time, including 28 in his first full season – form that yielded two Premier League Player of the Month awards and a spot in the 2020/21 PFA Team of the Year.
He does continue to be United’s chief creator though, hitting back at critics who suggest he doesn’t set a good example for his teammates.
United went on to double their lead against Everton with another penalty, but this time it was Marcus Rashford who stepped up to send Pickford the wrong way. It’s not the first time Fernandes has handed over duties to the under-fire England forward – ironically the other occasion was also against Sean Dyche’s side, only this time at Goodison Park.
