Bruno: Playing at Old Trafford is a dream come true

Bruno Fernandes claimed his first goal of the season in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Southampton at the weekend. Compatriot Dieogo Dalot fired the ball in to the box and Fernandes showed excellent skill and composure to direct the ball in to the bottom corner with his first touch. After a difficult few months, we can hope this is marks the beginning of his return to top form.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Fernandes has reflected on what it means to him to play at Old Trafford and hear the fans singing his name.

I think I have said this once: it’s impossible to describe such a big stadium like that, one of the most iconic stadiums that exists in the world. For me, as I said, ‘dream come true’ is what Old Trafford means to me.

It’s [the fans chanting his name] something you cannot describe. It is something that you have to feel. It is something that you can’t describe, basically.

Fernandes has played in some big games at Old Trafford over the years but has singled out the wins over rivals Leeds and Manchester City as having the best atmosphere.

It’s difficult to say but probably Leeds, maybe because I scored my hat-trick, but I think fans have waited for a long time to have the game against Leeds, I think something like 20 years to have their fans back to the stadium [laughs]. It was the first game of the season so the stadium was buzzing and obviously I scored the three goals so probably also because of that. But City in my first season… the City one at home when we won 2-0. Anthony [Martial] and Scott [McTominay scored]. That was good, that was really good.

Another game that stands out to Fernandes is the 1-0 win over West Ham last season when Marcus Rashford scored a 93rd minute winner.

I haven’t scored in the last minute any goals yet but I think the one Marcus scored against West Ham [last season] was unbelievable, because we played really well that game but we didn’t get the goal. Then in the last minute we go through and everything was perfect, and the feeling that you have when you score in the last minute at Old Trafford… I think the fans love more to win a game at 90 minutes than have a 3-0 game.