Bruno Fernandes was left in tears after Manchester United lost the Europa League final on penalties against Villarreal on Wednesday night.
United were clear favourites to end their four year trophy drought and earn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's silverware, as they faced Unai Emery's side who finished seventh in La Liga.
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The Spanish side took the lead in the first half, leaving United with their usual job of needing a second half come back.
Edinson Cavani made it possible with an equaliser but the Yellow Submarine stopped their opponents scoring again and again grew into the game to be the better side in extra time.
The penalty shoot-out needed all 22 players to take spot kicks and the first 21 were scored before David de Gea cruelly had his saved, which left Fernandes in tears.
Fernandes has once again been extremely important for United this season, in his first full season since moving from Sporting in January 2020.
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The 26-year-old scored 18 Premier League goals and got 12 assists as well, leading United to second in the league behind Manchester City.
However on Wednesday he had one of his quieter games as Unai Emery's side found a way to keep the Old Trafford side at arm's length for much of the 120 minutes.
Fernandes took the third United spot kick, following Juan Mata and Alex Telles, who both came on in the dying minutes of extra time just to take penalties, and then had to stand back and watch.
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Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Fred, Dan James, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe and Victor Lindelof then all put their penalties away.
Unfortunately for the Premier League side, Villarreal were just as adept at taking their spot kicks and De Gea never looked like saving any of theirs.
Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli then put his penalty away and the pressure was all on De Gea, who saw his effort saved by the Argentinian.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Football, Europa League, Manchester United, Villarreal, Premier League, La Liga
