Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes appeared to take a dig at Alejandro Garnacho for failing to kill the game against Newport County on Sunday. The Red Devils’ 4-2 victory sent them through to the FA Cup fifth round, but they had to win the hard way at Rodney Parade.
United returned from a two-week break sharp and refreshed – at least for the opening 15 minutes – as early goals from Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo put them firmly in control.
It was one-way traffic for much of the first half, and Garnacho’s eyes lit up when he saw an opportunity to get in on the action. But the youngster’s team-mates, including Fernandes, were left fuming when he raced into the the box and thumped the crossbar instead of laying United’s third goal on a plate for those waiting in the centre.
Garnacho nearly paid a heavy price as Bryn Morris and Will Evans sent the home supporters wild by levelling the scores. It remained poised until the 68th minute, when Antony grabbed his first goal of the season, and Rasmus Hojlund finally put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time.
“We wanted the win, we got it, but the result was not perfect for us,” Fernandes told the BBC. And in a thinly-veiled dig at Garnacho’s first-half moment of selfishness, he added: “We have to be more focused and kill the game straight away.
“We had chances to make it 3-0 in the first half but everyone wants to try and score in games like this. Sometimes we don’t get the best decision for the team.”
“We have to give everything to get into the final. We know that to make the season look not as bad as it’s been, we have to try and win this trophy. We know how much the FA Cup means to our fans and our club.”
Ten Hag’s thoughts will now turn back to clinching his first Premier League win since Boxing Day. His side will get a chance to put three valuable points on the board when they travel to Wolves on Thursday evening.
