MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United talks to referee Jesus Gil Manzano during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between Manchester United and AS Roma at Old Trafford on November 03, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Karl Recine/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes has explained what went through his mind when he used a penalty to revive Roma against Manchester United. To be honest, I was lucky, but the second time I decided.
The Giallorossi dominated the Champions League at Old Trafford this evening, leading 2-0 after 18 minutes thanks to a Matias Soulé strike and a Donyell Male strike.
Manchester United were given the chance to hit back with a soft penalty, but Bruno Fernandes saw his effort saved by Davies Vasquez.
As Bryan Cristante intervened to clear the rebound, VAR ruled it was allowed again, and this time Bruno Fernandes converted to start the comeback, resulting in a 3-2 win.
Bruno Fernandes Confession
“I knew it was a big responsibility, it could have changed the game and at that moment we needed a goal to get the crowd behind us,” Bruno Fernandes told Sky Sport Italia.
“Penalty is always a stressful moment because it’s only you against the goalkeeper and no one else can help in that situation.
“Honestly, I was lucky that Cristante went into the box very early, which gave me the opportunity to take it again. The second time, I decided to pick a spot and hit as hard as I could without trying to guess where the keeper was going.”
After the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, Bruno Fernandes reportedly refused to allow his Manchester United side to speak Italian to the local press, despite his long spell in Serie A and B.
Apparently, something has changed as the Portugal international was able to speak Italian this evening and discuss the current crisis at Manchester United, who have been without a win since September 10.
“It’s a very important win because obviously things don’t go our way. We aim to do one thing, we do another, we concede a goal at the beginning of the games, it’s a really difficult moment, but we have to try to save ourselves from that,” the midfielder added.
“Hopefully it can give us the confidence to go forward and do better because there is quality in this squad, we saw what we did last season and it’s impossible that it’s all gone.
“These are the same players as before, we added good qualities in the summer and we have to continue.”