Bruno Fernandes dealt with the pressure brilliantly on Sunday, as he once again converted from the penalty spot to help earn a place in the Champions League for Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team won a league record 14th penalty against Leicester City on Sunday, and they really needed it. It was 0-0 with just under 20 minutes to go in normal time in what was essentially a top four play-off.
Brendan Rodgers' side had been the better of the two teams but Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan conspired to bring down Anthony Martial in the box and Fernandes converted with all the pressure on his shoulders.
However speaking to MUTV after the match the midfielder revealed how he likes pressure and how Kasper Schmeichel helped him out.
"I like the pressure you know? When the keeper leaves the ball close to him, I know he's afraid. He gave me that little bit more confidence I need.
"Of course they try to do these mind games, but it's better for me when they do it."
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— JohnSmith1988 (@Smith1988John) July 27, 2020
Since the former Sporting player moved to Old Trafford at the end of January he's converted six times from the penalty spot out of six.
And the pressure has clearly agreed with him throughout his career as he's scored 26 of the 28 penalties he's taken so far, which is pretty decent going.
The 25-year-old finished the league season with eight goals and seven assists in just 14 games and his introduction completely changed the side's fortunes around.
As well as helping Fernandes for his penalty, it wasn't a great day for Schmeichel, son of United legend Peter, as he also had a hand in the visiting side's second goal.
Deep in injury time he allowed an on rushing Jesse Lingard to steal the ball off him and pass it into an empty net for his first league goal since December 2018.
Leicester players at least saw the opening goal coming. A few weeks ago Wifried Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were discussing how the midfielder 'will always score' after coming back to the dressing room to see their rivals had beaten Bournemouth.
Their loss on Sunday, coupled with Chelsea's win over Wolves, saw them drop out of the top four on the final day of the season and miss out on Champions League football next season.
Clearly Fernandes and his teammates handled the pressure slightly better.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/goals-take-a-bow-bruno-fernandes-explains-how-goalkeepers-help-him-score-penalties-20200727
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