Having your family behind you can be a source of inspiration in all endeavours. Such is the case of Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, who was cheered by his wife, Ana Pinho, and daughter, Matilde while converting a spot-kick during the Red Devil’s 6-2 win over Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Fernades’ first in the match came after Scott McTominay became the first player to score twice inside the first three minutes of a Premier League game. Fernandes midfield partner scored a brace within three minutes to put the Red Devils in cruise control.
The Portuguese later scored the third in the 20th minute. Further strikes from Victor Lindelof, Daniel James and a spot-kick from Fernades sealed the win for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s men. Leeds also scored in both half through Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas to reduce the deficit.
The 6-2 took Man United to third on the log and they have become title contenders again as Tottenham Hotspurs recorded their second straight defeat in one week.
Back to the cheerleaders, Matilde had initially planned to stop her dad from going to work when he was about heading out for the game against Leeds. She was filmed sitting by the doorway when the midfielder was about to leave for the match.
If his child had had her way, the 26-year-old, who is an important player in the squad, would have been watching the team from home, which would have made Solskjaer livid.
But seeing her dad score from the penalty spot gave her joy as she was heard cheering him on at home.
“Bayi bayi, goal!,” Matilde screamed for joy after Fernades converted his fourth spot-kick of the season.
Both of them happen to have a close relationship. So, it is no surprise to see Matilde trying to stop him from leaving.
How Fernandes met Ana Pinho before joining Manchester United
It was gathered that Fernandes met his wife Ana Pinho when they were teenagers. Their relationship which started officially in 2015 after their wedding in Portugal has produced Matilde and a young son Goncalo who was born earlier this year.
Is Bruno Fernandes the missing piece for United?
Since joining United last winter, Fernades has been the missing piece in their midfield, turning their season around. Although this is his first goal from open play at Old Trafford since the first weekend of the campaign, the Portuguese has been a mercurial signing for United.
If not for his input, with Paul Pogba being inconsistent, Man United might not even get close to the top six last season not to talk of qualifying for the Champions League.
Before his signing, the team’s regular penalty takers, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have been under huge pressures and missed spot-kicks. But since his arrival in January, he has only missed one from the last 12 he played. The Portugal international has scored a total of 20 goals in 34 appearances for United and 13 of those came from spot-kicks. He has only missed two from the 31 he has taken from his career up-to-date.
Fernandes is undoubtedly the best addition to the Manchester United squad in recent years, as he brought the much-needed creativeness in midfield. The Portuguese is has therefore brought massive change to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has so far scored 27 goals for United and created 16 assists along the way. He has also had many involvements in the goals of the team. Such makes him a good piece of business for United, which also saved the team from distraction concerning the future of Pogba.
