Fernandes: We need to look forward

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed what he and his team-mates will take from our opening-day defeat to Arsenal.

It was a narrow loss, the two sides only separated by an unfortunate goal from a first-half set piece, which saw Altay Bayindir, under pressure from William Saliba, palm a Declan Rice corner towards the back post, where Riccardo Calafiori headed home.

The Reds looked strong going forward, with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in particular showing flashes, but they were unable to breach the Gunners’ defence.

Fernandes spoke to broadcasters after the game, pointing out positives to take despite the loss.

“It’s the first game of the season, so we can’t speak about step forward,” the midfielder admitted to Sky Sports. “We did a lot of good things, but obviously, [it] wasn’t enough.

“We concede a goal from a set-piece in the first half, and I think from there on, Arsenal didn’t have any good chances, they didn’t create any good chances.

“We were defending very well, I think. Again, we created too many chances without scoring, so that’s a point we have to look at and make it better next time.”

United had the lion’s share of possession and shots on goal in the Sunday afternoon meeting, a feature of our dominance which was noted by Fernandes.

He continued: “I think we control [the game] well.

“We were very good on the ball and, as I said, we created some chances, but we didn’t score. I think that’s the main negative of the game for us today.”

The 30-year-old also acknowledged the positives provided by the displays of Cunha and Mbeumo, the pair both making their full competitive debuts for the club.

“They did very well,” he summarised for MUTV. “Obviously, we know what they can give to the team, we know the qualities they have. They are a big threat on the ball.

“It’s the beginning still, but they will create more and do more for us, I’m very sure, because the quality of them is very high.”

Amid the positives to take – in new signings, a reinvigorated attack and the greater control in the game – Fernandes saved his most passionate praise for the loyal fans packed inside Old Trafford.

“It was brilliant,” our captain said of the vocal support at the end of the game. “When I finished the game, that gave me hope of the season being different, and being very good for us.

“The way, when we went around and into the tunnel, they [the fans] gave us help in that.

“So, now, [the] next game for us is very important to give something back to them too.”

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