Bruno Fernandes Reveals Who Was On Penalty Duty Vs Villarreal After Aston Villa Miss

Bruno Fernandes has confirmed he was on penalty duty for Manchester United against Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Days before the Champions League clash, Fernandes lashed a last minute spot-kick over the bar and into the Stretford End in a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

It was the first time the former Sporting CP midfielder had failed to hit the target from the spot in his entire career.

The rare miss from Fernandes, which prompted a detailed apology and statement on social media, meant many expected Cristiano Ronaldo to assume honours from the spot in the future, particularly after Emiliano Martinez urged him to take the penalty on Saturday.

But after the last-gasp win over Villarreal, Fernandes shed light on the situation.

Speaking to Jules Breach of BT, Fernandes said: "I was on penalties tonight but we didn't get one. The manager will decide before the game who takes the game."

It appears as though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be selecting penalty takers on a game by game basis going forward.

Fernandes has a 91% success rate from the spot after missing just four of his 46 taken, while Ronaldo has taken 167 and scored 139 - giving him an success rate of 83%.

Although it was anything but convincing, United didn't require a penalty to claim their first win of the Champions League season.

After Paco Alcacer put the Europa League winners ahead early on in the second half, Alex Telles equalised with an exquisite volley from a Fernandes free-kick before Ronaldo came up clutch right at the death.

Reflecting on the late win, Fernandes told BT Sport: "I always had the feeling we would win the game. Even after they score, I feel that we can come again to the game and turn it around.

"After the goal of Alex, everyone felt the atmosphere, it was unbelievable, the push from the fans was incredible, some big saves from David, who helps a lot to be in the game and to keep the score 1-1.

"At the end Cristiano, as always, we say strikers have that feeling to score and he has it once again."

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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