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Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty has become a very familiar sight for Manchester United. Being among the Premier League favorites has not been seen in recent years for the fallen giants.
United tied on points with league leaders Liverpool with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday (NZT). Fernandes secured the win by scoring his ninth pitch since debuting 11 months ago.
Carl Recine / AP
Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes shoots Manchester United ahead from the penalty spot.
While United are still behind Liverpool on goal difference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the team in a good position to mount a challenge for a first title since 2013.
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Alex Ferguson, who produced the 20th English title that extends United’s record before retiring eight years ago, was among those who were able to enter Old Trafford to witness this New Year’s Day game, the day after his 79th birthday.
It saw Anthony Martial lead United in the 40th minute at the end of a counterattack started by Paul Pogba. And it was Pogba who won the penalty – from the restart after Bertrand Traoré’s draw – which allowed Fernandes to clinch victory in the 61st minute.
Such has been United’s decline in the post-Ferguson years that only once, in 2018, did United finish second and then were 19 points behind Manchester City.
Carl Recine / AP
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates with his teammates after converting his ninth penalty for the club.
