Bruno: Our performance against City was almost perfect

Manchester United won their third game on the bounce at the Etihad on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Manchester City. Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in the first couple of minutes before Luke Shaw secured the three points in the second half.

While City dominated possession and chances, the game finished with both sides having the same number of efforts on target, but more importantly, a clean sheet and two goals for United.

Fernandes spoke to the official site after the game about his view of our performance.

I think it was almost perfect. We created a lot of chances where maybe we could finish better, or play a better last pass or last shot. When we create chances it’s always good because if you create it’s a sign you’re playing well and trying to do something different.

I think we played a little bit better in the second half because in the first half they pressed as well. We had more counters but in the second half we are clearer and we take more control of the game at times.

They have more of the ball than us, they pass more times with the ball. Anyway, [in terms of] opportunities I think we had the best ones and for me the most important in the game is the result. The result for us is on our side, so it’s perfect.

To be awarded a penalty in the second minute of a game is a fairly unusual occurrence and the pressure was on Fernandes to score. The impact of missing a penalty so early on could have been disastrous to the mentality and approach of our team. But the Portuguese midfielder insists he didn’t feel any more pressure.

Every penalty has the same pressure for me. It’s always pressure to take a pen, doesn’t matter if it’s against City, or another team. It’s always pressure to take the pens. I like that kind of pressure. It’s good pressure. I knew what I had to do. I did it in the right way with the right power and I’m happy to score, of course. Honestly for us it’s about winning. People will always complain about everything. Today it will still be Bruno never scores in big games. They will put open play no goals, it was a penalty [and say] it doesn’t count! So for us the most important thing is winning the game. It doesn’t matter how you score, when the ball touches the net it’s a goal. I will be happy and it doesn’t matter if it’s me or another one scoring.