Bruno Fernandes pulled out a bizarre celebration after scoring the winning goal in Manchester United’s 1-0 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday.
United’s playmaker put his side in-front against Champions League rival chasers Villa at Old Trafford by reacting quickest to Marcus Rashford’s initial spilled shot.
Rashford had beaten Villa’s offside trap and shooting from across goal saw his effort parried away by Argentina’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The visitor’s shot-stopper thought he had cleared the danger but was helpless to stop a charging Fernandes who beat retreating defenders to the ball first.
The Portuguese playmaker then angled his effort past Martinez who was scrambling to get to his feet and putting United in-front.
Bruno Fernandes scored the game’s only goal in Manchester United’s victory over Aston Villa
Fernandes (middle bottom) ran to celebrate in front of Aston Villa fans inside Old Trafford
Fernandes ran to celebrate in-front of the travelling Villa fans who had been booing him since kick-off, instead of heading for the corner packed with home supporters.
United’s stand-in captain stood in front of disappointed visiting fans and stared directly towards them with very little expression etched on his face as his team-mates jumped around.
The 28-year-old remained rooted to the spot and staring out into the away end at Old Trafford as Marcus Rashford jumped on his back and Marcel Sabitzer grabbed him around the shoulders.
The bizarre celebratory exchange lasted around 12 seconds before the goalscorer eventually broke his gaze to run back to the halfway line and get the match back underway.
Speaking after the match, Fernandes stressed the importance of taking three points, telling Sky Sports: ‘It is always important [to win].’
‘We know this club is about winning games, every game we have to win, donesnt matter the opponent, we knew we would play one team in really good form that hasn’t lost in their last 10 games.
‘They [Villa] have good patterns and good players but we also knew we can do our job and win the game.
‘We did what we trained to do, we could have scored more goals but we are happy with the three points,’ he said.
The Portuguese star (middle) stared down rival fans who had made the trip to Old Trafford
His goal proved to be the difference in what could turn out to be a top four deciding clash with Aston Villa suffering their first defeat in 10 games under Unai Emery.
Fernandes’ strike was also only the fourth time that Villa’s defence had been broken in the same amount of matches with the Midlands outfit one of the league’s most impressive sides since the turn of the year.
Manchester United are now nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and have a game in hand on the chasing pack beneath them as well as Newcastle who are third with a two point advantage.
The Red Devils are next in action when they travel to face Brighton on Thursday.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
