Fernandes had the chance to level the score in added time
Bruno Fernandes has vowed to ‘come back stronger’ after his costly penalty miss against Aston Villa on Saturday, stating that he will continue to take penalties for Manchester United.
The Red Devils suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season after Kortney Hause’s 88th-minute header secured all three points for Villa.
However, United had the chance to steal a point late into injury-time after goalscorer Hause gave away a penalty following a handball inside the penalty area.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo was still on the pitch, Fernandes took the spot-kick and despite having only missed one penalty in normal time for United, the Portuguese international blazed his strike high over the crossbar.
It was also the first time in his senior career that he had failed to hit the target with a penalty.
🗣 "There are pigeons who are ducking for their lives."
Reaction to Bruno Fernandes' penalty miss for Manchester United 😅 pic.twitter.com/A43YTze74k
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 25, 2021
Despite squandering the chance to maintain an unbeaten start to the league season, United’s No 18 has stressed that he will ‘come back stronger’ from the miss.
“Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat,” Fernandes said on Instagram.
“I’ve always assumed my responsibilities and I’ve always embraced them under pressure in moments like this. Today, I failed. But I took a step forward and faced the challenge with the same ambition and responsibility as when, on the many other occasions, the ball ended up in the net.
“Criticism and contrasting opinions are a big part of football. I’ve learned to live with it, even using them to drive me on, and I consider it all a very important part of my commitment to never stop trying to improve.
“Today I once again took the responsibility given to me almost since I joined United and I will take it again without any fear or dread whenever called upon.
“Thank you for all your support after the final whistle! Hearing you chanting my name in the stadium was very emotional.
“I will come back stronger for me, because these are the standards I hold myself to, but most of all for my teammates and our fans who have always supported us.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUQiKLToG0j/?utm_source=ig_embed
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t reveal whether or not Ronaldo would be on penalty duties following Fernandes’ miss, but he did express his anger at the behaviour of the Villa players prior to the spot-kick.
“First of all the way they get round the penalty spot, get round Bruno and all that, that’s not to my liking. Bruno is usually very good in those positions and unfortunately he missed this one,” said the Norwegian.
“It doesn’t get in Bruno’s head. He’s strong mentally and he’ll step forward again. The decision (on who takes penalties) is made before the game.”
United host Villarreal on Wednesday night in the Champions League, hoping to bounce back from three defeats in four games.
Related links:
- Emi Martinez urges Ronaldo to take late Man Utd penalty before Fernandes’ miss
- Bruno Fernandes’ woeful last-gasp penalty seals shock Man Utd defeat
- Samir Nasri announces retirement from football aged 34
