Bruno Fernandes explains why he gave up penalty-taking duties leaving Paul Scholes baffled

Bruno Fernandes gave up penalty duties for Marcus Rashford in the Champions League because he made a promise to his Manchester United team-mate on the weekend.

Fernandes is United’s dedicated penalty taker, but the Portuguese, who was on a hat-trick against Istanbul Basaksehir, let Rashford take a spot-kick on Tuesday night.

The England international dispatched the penalty, but the decision to give up the goalscoring opportunity left Paul Scholes baffled.

At the half time break, Scholes said on BT Sport: “I don’t get it,” said Scholes. “Fernandes has taken all the penalties when he’s played. He’s on the chance of a hat-trick on a European night, I don’t understand it.

“But ultimately we get the same result so there’s not too much damage done.”

Fernandes was asked to explain his charitable act after the match, and revealed he’d made a promise to Rashford after he scored a penalty against West Brom last time out.

“That’s not the point. Of course, every player wants to score a hat-trick,” said Fernandes.

“But after the game in the Premier League I told Rashford he would take the next one.

“So I remembered that, and also because Rashford is one of the top scorers in the Champions League.

“I think it will be important for him to keep going there and take that confidence.

“But as I say, it doesn’t matter who takes the penalties, the most important thing is scoring. The team scores. When the team scores, I score too.”

Download Edujandon.com News App QR-Code

Edujandon.com - 24/7 News Upda

Developer: Edujandon Enterprises

Price: Free