I will take penalties again – Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes stated that he will continue to take penalties at Manchester United in an apology letter for missing a penalty against Aston Villa on Saturday.

United were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the Premier League after Fernandes blazed a last-gasp spot-kick over the crossbar.

Villa’s Kortney Hause looked to have gone from hero to zero when he followed an 88th-minute headed goal at one end with a handball at the other five minutes later.

Goalscorer Kortney Hause was penalised for a handball and that offered United a huge opportunity to draw level but Fernandes fired over the crossbar.

Many were surprised Fernandes decided to take the crucial penalty ahead of the reliable expert Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat,” Fernandes wrote via social media.

“I’ve always assumed my responsibilities and I’ve always embraced them under pressure in moments like this. Today, I failed. But I took a step forward and faced the challenge with the same ambition and responsibility as when, on the many other occasions, the ball ended up in the net.

“Criticism and contrasting opinions are a big part of football. I’ve 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 and to become the best player I can possibly be, for me and the team.

“Today I once again took the responsibility given to me almost since I joined United and I will take it again without any fear or dread whenever called upon.

“The most important thing for me is to win together and I’ll always do everything I can to help my team-mates and the club to be the best we can be.

“I’m a player who leaves everything on the pitch, with great desire and commitment. And that’s what I’ll continue to do.

“Thank you for all your support after the final whistle! Hearing you chanting my name in the stadium was very emotional… I will come back stronger for me, because these are the standards I hold myself to, but most of all for my team-mates and our fans who have always supported us.”

United are fourth in the Premier League – a point behind leaders Liverpool through six matches.

Source: editors.3news.com|Ghana