Bruno Fernandes cleared the ball for Frenkie de Jong, dubbed the most 'obnoxious' player in football
Bruno Fernandes was heavily criticized after the MU star entered the ball with Frenkie de Jong in his Europa League opening match.
United are looking to qualify for the knockout stages of the European competition, meeting La Liga leaders Barcelona, ??after a stunning first leg.
Before the game, Fernandes was at the center of the conversation after Barca boss Xavi simply described him as 'Portuguese'.
Fans feel that the attacking midfielder will be inspired after a stellar performance or do something reckless and cost his team dearly.
It looked like it would be the latter, as he delivered a controversial first-half penalty to give the visitors a well-deserved lead in the first half.
Fred leveled things early in the second half, followed by Bruno's second controversial moment of the night, making him happy he hadn't been booked yet. Former United transfer target De Jong was tackled and the ball landed on Fernandes, in frustration over a free kick, the former Sporting star rammed the ball straight into the opponent's stomach.
CONTINUE READING-MORE NEWS
Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong finally played at Old Trafford on Thursday but was on the losing side as his Barcelona were knocked out of the Europa League.
Jubilant Manchester United fans ask transfer target Frenkie de Jong, 'what's the score?' after their team from behind beat his Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Thanks to an emotional 2-1 win, the Reds secured their place in the Europa League knockout stages thanks to goals from Fred and Antony, who canceled out Robert Lewandowski's penalty. Dutch midfielder De Jong, whose United manager Erik ten Hag has become his main target in the summer transfer window, was notably on the losing side.
Having worked together at Ajax, Ten Hag wanted to reunite with De Jong in Manchester but was unsuccessful, although the Reds' director of football John Murtough had flown to Barcelona in the hopes of striking an agreement. The 25-year-old turned down offers from Ten Hag because he was desperate to stay at cash-strapped Barca, the team willing to sell him to ease financial difficulties. Now that his current bosses are out of the Europa League, Old Trafford faithful will surely mock De Jong - whom Ten Hag still wants to sign - after the final whistle. As the Dutchman sullenly returned to the away dressing room in front of a vibrant Stretford End, a section of the home fans sang:
"Frenkie, what's the score?" Frenkie, Frenkie, what's the score?
2-1 against the Reds - if he needs a reminder. De Jong's side appeared to be the ones going into the first half, with Lewandowski's 18th-minute opener putting Barcelona ahead, just as they did in the first leg which ended in a 2nd draw. -2.
United once again took the lead from behind, with Fred scoring just two minutes after the game restarted. First half substitute Antony then made an impact from the bench, unleashing a superb finish as Ten Hag's men struggled to maintain control. . Unlike last Thursday, there was no comeback from the La Liga giants, who were deservedly eliminated.
Frenkie de Jong was mocked by Man Utd fans after Barcelona's defeat at Old Trafford
Frenkie de Jong was mocked by Man Utd fans after Barcelona's defeat at Old Trafford
Reds striker Fred admitted in an interview with BT Sport after the game: "In the first half we didn't play as usual. "But in the second half we played much better and scored early so we had a nice first-half chat with the coach and we changed our mind and showed a lot. Good."
United legend Peter Schmeichel also told BBC 5 Live about the entire two-leg tie:
"It's amazing, in two games, things can go either way. They are two great teams that gave us everything. In the first game, I thought Manchester United were ahead, in the first half of that game, Barcelona really controlled the game. In the second half, Erik ten Hag made the right changes and it was an immediate result."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0