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Bruno Fernandes has ignored suggestions that he is a flat-court bully, as the Manchester United midfielder looks to inspire his team to victory on derby day this weekend.
United will travel to Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, and know that even a win would only bring them within 11 points of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Fernandes, who has 40 goals in 41 appearances for the club, has scored two no penalties in his last 13 games and comes into the game having scored a no penalty in eight games against the ‘big six’ this season.
But the Portuguese midfielder, who has won four Player of the Month awards since arriving in January 2020, has defended his record and is ready to respond to their criticism in the best possible way, starting against the runaway leaders at the Etihad Stadium.
Fernandes told Soccer Saturday: “I don’t know what people mean by ‘top six’, because teams are in the top six of the table. I mark and assist against some of them. I scored this season against Tottenham. But some people say sanctions don’t count!
“I know that people expect Bruno to score or help in every game because when I arrived, I was playing very well. If you look at my statistics, everyone thinks that Bruno has to score in every game, Bruno has to help in every game. matches.
“And I want to do that, it’s the most important thing. But as a player, I don’t look for the big six or the rest of the league. I look for all the games in the same way. And I think the league is not a sprint, it is a marathon. , so you don’t have to score or win against the big six, you have to score and win against everyone.
“I see people talking about how Bruno is not doing so well against the ‘big six.’ People have said that Bruno gives the ball away too many times when we lose a game.
“Also, in the game against Basaksehir, I scored two goals and lost more balls than his team, but people said I was the best player of the game. So what’s the point?
“But I agree in the last two games, I didn’t play very well. And I don’t need to look at the statistics to see if I play well or not. I know when I play well or not.”
“I saw an interview with Luke (Shaw) saying, ‘People now care more about statistics than performance.’ And this is the truth. Because now they expect only goals and assists from me, and not performances.
“They don’t care about Bruno’s performance, they don’t care about the recovery of the ball or how many chances he generates, because I can create 10 chances, but if I don’t score, people will say that Bruno didn’t play much. Well.
“But this is soccer. Soccer is in the moment. Some people have said that I’m playing badly and that I have to do better. And I agree, because we can always do better. But for me, it’s okay. I can have that pressure in my back.
“I am sure that in some moments I will score, assist and act. And that will help my teammates to win the game.”
While some have claimed that Fernandes has been ‘Mr Invisible’ when he has been important to United, the team as a whole has failed to collectively score in their last six Premier League games against opponents from the ‘Big Six’, a total of 628 minutes.
On January 12, United sat atop the Premier League table after 17 games following a 1-0 win at Burnley, while their city rivals were seven points behind them, albeit with two games in hand.
Less than two months later and most think City are a standby champion, 14 points ahead of second-placed United, thanks to an unbeaten streak dating back to November 21.
There are murmurs of discontent at United after three straight goalless draws in all competitions, so what better way to end the goal drought than against the league leaders on Sunday?
A win will likely make little difference in the title race, but it will strengthen United’s hopes of finishing in the top four, and Fernandes is aware of how success against the neighbors could have huge ramifications for the rest of the season.
“I think everyone knows what it means to play a derby, no matter what it is,” he continued.
“The derby always means a little more. Here, we talk about the city. We have two sides, and we want to have the winner on our side. We want to do this, and we have to do this, first.” , for us. And of course, we do not forget it, for all the fans who are supporting. “
Man City’s 4-1 win over the Wolves at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night made it 21 straight wins in a 28 unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his team’s lack of goals was a bit concerning after they drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace, but Fernandes has his sights set on ending City’s formidable streak after a third straight deadlock in all competitions.
“Crystal Palace was a tough game because they defended well and played tight,” he added. “But we have to create a little more no matter how compact the teams are.
“We know that we play for a great team and we know that we have to win every game. Of course, everyone knows that playing the derby is always important to win.
“But now we have to look at ourselves and not think too much about the table. If we win our games until the end of the season, we will count the points then and this is the most important thing.”
“It will be a tough game because they are the fittest team in the league. They have been playing well for a while, but we have already shown in the past that we can create opportunities against them. We can do great things, but we have to act as a team. We must play as a team and hopefully we win as a team. “
Pitch to Post preview podcast: Manchester derby debate, Villa vs Wolves, Bale back in shape for Spurs
In this week’s Pitch to Post preview podcast, Sky Sports News reporters Ben Ransom and James Cooper join Alice Piper in anticipating the Manchester derby. Can City end United’s 21-game unbeaten streak to extend their Premier League lead to 17 points?
We also hear from Rob dorsett before the Midlands derby between Aston Villa Y Wolves, with both parties looking to get back on the winning track.
Y Michael Bridge gives us his verdict on Tottenham recent resurgence, as they prepare to welcome crystal Palace.
Listen to the launch of Sky Sports to publish the podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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