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Manchester United fans have waited a long time to see Bruno Fernandes in action on a regular basis. And his fine performance against Everton on Saturday suggests it will have been worth the delay. Express Sport will now take a look at four things we learned from the showdown at Old Trafford.
United signed Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January transfer window of 2020, with the coronavirus crisis then robbing him of the chance to play in front of fans on a weekly basis.
But the Portugal international, certainly, is the club’s newest crowd pleaser.
United fans inside Old Trafford clearly adore the 26-year-old, calling on him to shoot regularly throughout the contest and reacting to his every touch.
Fernandes showed his class with a sublime free-kick, leaving Jordan Pickford with no chance between the sticks.
And he entertained them with his celebration, pointing at the name on the back of his shirt and soaking up the jubilant scenes around him.
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United took the lead against Everton through Mason Greenwood.
The 19-year-old scored from a relatively tight angle after a mix-up involving Pickford in the Everton goal.
And the way he took his goal suggests he’s in deadly mood going into the new campaign, having found the net six times during his final eight matches of the previous season.
Greenwood looked sharp throughout the contest, being deployed on the right wing.
And he’ll be hoping to build on this promising display when United lock horns with Leeds in their Premier League opener on August 14.
Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes celebrates his goal against Everton (Image: GETTY)
Anthony Martial needs time
This was Anthony Martial’s first football match since March, having missed the final few weeks of last season through injury.
And it’s clear the France international will need time to regain full fitness.
Martial looked flat in the first 45 minutes for the Red Devils, with the striker failing to catch the eye.
When compared to Greenwood and Fernandes, he was definitely a weak link for United during the first half.
But the 45 minutes on the field will have done Martial good and they’ll be hoping he can start to fire once he gets more action under his belt.
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Man Utd star Harry Maguire celebrates his goal against Everton (Image: GETTY)
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