Manchester United made history against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday night.
20.09.2022 - 12:37 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes has played down suggestions that his drop off in form last season was caused by playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who scored his first goal of the season in United's 2-0 win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League last week, returned to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer. Despite the Reds' collective struggles last season, the 37-year-old netted an impressive 24 goals in all competitions.
Fernandes, by contrast, scored an underwhelming ten goals in comparison to the 28 he netted during the 2020/21 campaign. His dip in form was, in the eyes of some people, as a result of playing alongside Ronaldo.
READ MORE: Fernandes names Ten Hag quality previous United managers lacked
This season, the duo have started a Premier League game together just once, with Ronaldo being forced to play a patient game by manager Erik ten Hag. Fernandes has looked sharper and has been more involved in recent weeks, but he does not believe that is as a result of Ronaldo not playing regularly.
"Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don't think [that it's fair]," Fernandes told The Athletic. "I just had a poor season in terms of my own numbers. I don't think it is about Cristiano or myself.
"Before he came, I was also taking the penalties, but I had two chances to take the penalties last season and I missed both. So I cannot blame Cristiano for taking penalties, especially when he scores them.
"When I missed against Arsenal in April, it was him who gave me the ball and said, 'Go yourself and score'. I missed but I felt that he trusted me to be the one to step up and score in the big moment. So I don't think it is because of Cristiano, it is because I didn't do the best in myself
Manchester United made history against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday night.
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Bruno Fernandes has backed his Manchester United and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to rediscover his goalscoring form after a disappointing start to the season.
Manchester United were expected to challenge for the Premier League title last season but, by the end of the season, were reduced to fighting for Europa League qualification. The Reds grossly underperformed and subsequently equalled their worst trophy drought for 40 years.
Bruno Fernandes has been harshly criticised by a former Manchester United defender following his comments last month about Matheus Nunes.
Manchester United summer signing Christian Eriksen has opened up on the start of the season under Erik ten Hag, admitting that the team were 'searching' for a period of time.
Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire have both sent a message to Manchester United teammate Anthony Elanga after he was named among the youngsters nominated for the Golden Boy award.
Manchester United will be without five players for the trip to Moldova on Thursday. The Reds are looking to make amends for last week’s unexpected 1-0 Europa League loss to Real Sociedad but will be without the in-form Marcus Rashford, who has scored three times in his last four games.
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