I always felt we would win: Bruno Fernandes on Villarreal triumph

Manchester United star midfielder Bruno Fernandes said that he was always confident about the prospect of the team winning all three points against Villarreal, despite going a goal behind at Old Trafford. The Yellow Submarine took the lead through Paco Alcacer early in the second half. However, a stunning strike from Alex Telles leveled the score before Cristiano Ronaldo found the crucial winner in the 95th minute. Speaking to MUTV and BT Sport, Bruno said, “I always had the feeling we would win the game, also when they scored I feel we could come again and turn it around. After the goal of Alex, everyone feels the atmosphere was unbelievable. The push from the fans was incredible.”

He also praised Ronaldo for the late winner, while also praising Edinson Cavani, saying both the players can always give the team a chance in the penalty box. “We knew it with Cristiano, at any moment, every ball in the box could be a goal. As you see, we started to make a little bit more crosses, we started to attack more down the wings and make crosses, put the ball in the box, because we know Edi and Cristiano at any moment with the ball in the box, whether it bounces or goes towards the keeper, they have the feeling,” he explained.

“They are the strikers who have the feeling for the goal. They feel it and Cristiano did it once again, and he will do it more and more in the current season. He and Edi and Anthony will be really important for us because they will score many, many goals.”

‘The atmosphere at Old Trafford has been fantastic’

The Portuguese star also credited the impact of the fans inside Old Trafford during the Reds’ comeback. He said: “It was my first Champions League night here with fans and it was unbelievable. It’s a great feeling, the atmosphere was unbelievable, but for me, Champions League or not, the atmosphere at Old Trafford has been fantastic.

“Obviously, everyone sees it as a special competition and it is special for everyone but I think at Old Trafford it has been special every time with fans. So I cannot see this as being better than the ones because the fans have been fantastic in every game we’ve had.”

It was from Bruno’s freekick, Telles hit the stunning strike from the edge of the area for the equaliser. Speaking about it, Fernandes said: “Alex was coming to me and he wanted me to do the overlap and if there was a chance, he would pass it to me in the box.” 

“I tell him, ‘No, just go to the edge of the box and I will ping the ball over there and you just kick it first time or if you have time, control it.’ But after that, it’s all the quality of Alex. Nothing to do with me. Okay the ball was good, the ball went straight to Alex but Alex made a really good strike and it was an unbelievable goal, honestly.”

Fernandes was full of praise for the opposition on the night, adding: “It’s always difficult to play against Spanish teams. We know they play well, they are good on the ball. We know the coach was also here in England already.”

“Their teams always play good football. In defence, really well organised. It’s always really tough to play against them, but I think we did a good job. Sometimes we have to be patient and not press all the time and I think we did the right job. The main thing was the three points and we got it.”