Luck of the Red Devils

BRUNO SMASH AND GRAB PEN SPARES AMORIM'S BLUSHES

- By David McDonnell

THIS time, Bruno Fernandes made no mistake.

Six days earlier at Fulham the Manchester United skipper, normally so reliable when it comes to penalties, blazed over as Ruben Amorim's side drew 1-1.

Here, in the 97th minute, with the score 2-2 and Amorim's job on the line after another erratic display from his capricious United side, Fernandes kept his cool to score from the spot.

The outpouring of emotion from Fernandes, his teammates and 70,000 United fans showed the significance of the goal that secured a first league win of the season for the Red Devils.

Having lost to Arsenal, drawn at Fulham, then suffering the humiliation of a midweek EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby, Amorim knew failure to win here was simply not an option.