Bruno Fernandes admits he gave penalty duty to Marcus Rashford because the out-of-form star ‘NEEDED his confidence back’ after Man United’s 3-0 triumph over Everton

• Rashford unusually took the penalty instead of Portuguese midfielder Fernandes
• Man United enjoyed 3-0 win in what boss Ten Hag described ‘very good’ display 
• Nobody’s fooled by the nature of Man United’s performances this season – IAKO 

Bruno Fernandes has admitted he gave the penalty to Marcus Rashford because he ‘needed confidence’.

After Ashley Young brought down Anthony Martial in the box, a lenghty VAR check ruled a penalty for the visitors, and instead of their Portuguese skipper stepping up to the spot, it was Marcus Rashford.

Speaking after the match, Fernandes explained: ‘I felt Marcus needed confidence, needed his goal. 

‘Marcus is an excellent penalty taker too. I’m sure he could score that penalty. It’s not about who takes it, it’s about scoring that penalty, and Marcus did it perfectly. Strikers, wingers, they want to score goals, they need to score goals. 

‘That’s part of the game, it gives you a boost. I think after the penalty, Marcus was unstoppable, he could take on everyone. 

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Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring penalty with Garnacho, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw

Marcus Rashford doubled their lead, scoring a penalty as his second goal of the season 

Everton had several chances during the game, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming close

Rashford has been out of form since the start of the season for Man United

Anthony Martial scored United’s third goal, sealing the victory and their second straight league win

Everton fans filled the stands with ‘corrupt’ Premier League signs in protest of their ten-point deduction, leaving them in 19th spot in the table 

‘I think sometimes you need this chance, this opportunity, to get your confidence back. He’s been great for us. 

As a seasoned penalty-taker, Fernandes has missed just five in his career – three of which have come in Premier League matches.

On Rashford’s performances last season in comparison to this season: ‘Last season, he was amazing so everyone’s expectations were higher, so it’s just about getting his goals back, and everyone will say he’s world-class again. 

Rashford’s spot kick doubled the visitors’ lead over a struggling Everton side, after Alejandro Garnacho had opened the scoring with a stunning overhead kick. 

Boss Erik Ten Hag labelled the strike as ‘goal of the season’ after fans flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to sing the praises of the young Argentine footballer for his goal reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s 2011 goal against Man City.

Gary Neville continued the praise for the youngster, adding that it was ‘unbelievable’.

Garnacho’s goal has drawn comparisons to Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick in the Manchester derby in 2011, with some saying the Argentine’s was even better than the United legend 

‘I don’t think I’ve ever been in a stadium where I’ve seen an overhead kick as good as that, and I was there on the day Rooney scored in the Manchester derby. That was unbelievable, what we’ve just seen.

‘This atmosphere has been silenced somewhat. He moves back two or three short shuffled steps. Wow. That is a magical, magical goal. I think we’ll see that a few times.’

Anthony Martial topped off a perfect day for the Red Devils with a third and final goal, adding to the hosts’ miseries. 

Man United now sit in sixth place in the Premier League, just two points behind Tottenham.  

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