Bruno Fernandes revealed he offered Marcus Rashford Manchester United’s second penalty against Everton as he had already scored the first and the England international is in a select group of designated takers.
United ended a run of two successive defeats with a 2-0 victory at home to the Toffees on Saturday lunchtime.
Alejandro Garnacho won two penalties for the Red Devils during a rather dry first-half. Fernandes converted the first – becoming United’s all-time leading penalty scorer in the process – before handing the second over to Rashford.
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In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Fernandes explained why Rashford stepped up to take the second penalty instead.
“We both kick the penalties,” Fernandes began. “I asked Marcus if he wanted to take and he said he was confident. He is one of the penalty takers that the manager chooses. I felt I had my one, Rashy could get his goal from the penalty.”
Saturday’s result moves United to within three points of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth and seven of Aston Villa in fourth.
“Obviously we know we have to win every game that we have ahead,” Fernandes added. “We know our position in the league and it’s not enough for us. We want to try and get into the spots for the Champions League. We know it’s going to be tough and difficult but we have to win these games.
“We have to win every game. We didn’t win against Fulham. That was not good enough. Then we go away to City and we don’t win two games in a row. It gets tough. Aston Villa is doing really well, in moments Tottenham are being really good. It will be more difficult for us than them but we have to push.”
