MANCHESTER: Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes (pix) was left frustrated after missing his stoppage-time penalty in Saturdayâs 1-0 Premier League defeat https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fernandes-misses-last-gasp-penalty-villa-shock-man-united-2021-09-25 by Aston Villa but the Portugal international vowed to come back stronger.
Kortney Hauseâs 88th-minute header put Villa in the lead but the defenderâs handball gifted United a chance to steal a point, only for Fernandes to blaze the ball high over the bar.
Fernandes, who was Unitedâs top scorer last season, missed only his second spot-kick for the club as the team’s unbeaten start to the league came to an end.
âNobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat,â Fernandes said on Instagram.
âCriticism and contrasting opinions are a big part of football. Iâve learned to live with it, even using them to drive me on, and I consider it all a very important part of my commitment to never stop trying to improve.
âI will come back stronger for me, because these are the standards I hold myself to, but most of all for my teammates and our fans who have always supported us.â
After Saturdayâs shock defeat, United dropped to fourth in the standings on goal difference, with the top four sides all on 13 points.
United next face Villarreal in Wednesdayâs Champions League group stage match at Old Trafford. â Reuters
