Paul Scholes couldn't believe that Bruno Fernandes gave up the chance of a hat-trick in the Champions League, by handing a penalty over to Marcus Rashford.
It was an excellent night for United on Tuesday, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side took another step closer to the Champions League knockout stages with a 4-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir.
Having lost in the Turkish capital in their previous European outing, United were clearly desperate to start quickly and Fernandes scored twice in the opening 20 minutes to put them on the path to victory.
Rashford then won a penalty with 10 minutes left of the half. Most would have expected the former Sporting midfielder to step up but instead he handed the duties to Rashford, who slotted it home, something that Scholes couldn't understand.
"I don't get it," the United legend said on BT Sport, "Fernandes has taken all the penalties when he's played. He's on the chance of a hat-trick on a European night, I don't understand it.
"But ultimately we get the same result so there's not too much damage done."
1️⃣ Rashford wins the penalty
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
2️⃣ Rashford gives the ball to Bruno
3️⃣ Bruno puts the ball on the spot
4️⃣ Bruno asks Rashford if he wants it
5️⃣ Rashford scores
Unselfish stuff from a man on a hat-trick. Spreading the goals around 🤝 pic.twitter.com/cygIaLMAN7
It's not the first time this season that a United player has given up a spot kick in Europe whilst on a hat-trick, with Rashford doing it himself.
The 23-year-old scored twice coming off the bench against RB Leipzig last month before the Premier League side were awarded a penalty.
Instead of taking it himself the Mancunian allowed teammate Anthony Martial score his first goal of the season, before Rashford still rounded off his hat-trick shortly after.
Speaking after the match Fernandes explained one reason for giving up the penalty was to give his teammate the chance to continue his impressive run in this season's Champions League.
"After the last game I told Rashy he could take the next one, and I remembered."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
"It doesn't matter who takes the penalties. The team scores."
Bruno Fernandes explained to @TheDesKelly his decision to let Marcus Rashford take Man Utd's penalty 👏 pic.twitter.com/g9wWBl9N6I
The former Sampdoria midfielder has an excellent record from the spot, and has even been mocked as 'just' a penalty scorer at times, but has missed a few penalties recently.
Last weekend the 26-year-old, who only moved to England in January, was lucky not to give away a penalty against West Brom before having his effort saved. He was reprieved by Sam Johnstone being off his line, and scored the retake.
Speaking after the match on Tuesday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he's not too bothered which of his players takes the penalties, presumably as long as they keep going in
"If Bruno wants to give it to Marcus, so be it. Why not?"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
"We need one more point, but we want to top the group!"
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was happy with his side's performance as Man Utd took another step towards the Champions League knockout stage.
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/5OSF9KneaS
United need one more point against PSG or Leipzig in their final two games in the group to guarantee their qualification.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/legends-scholes-baffled-by-fernandes-decision-to-let-rashford-take-penalty-20201124
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