Bruno Fernandes hails Man United team-mate after Everton win

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (R) speaks with Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (L) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 9, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United experienced a topsy-turvy evening at Goodison Park on Sunday evening but Erik ten Hag’s men battled through to secure three vital points.

Everton scored early in the first half but goals from Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo completed United’s turnaround, with the latter scoring the 700th goal of his club career.

Ronaldo has started just one Premier League game this season and Ten Hag has preferred Anthony Martial but the Portugal international was forced into action when Martial went off due to injury.

Speaking after the game, Fernandes reserved special praise for his Portugal team-mate, joking that it’s ‘tough’ to still count the amount of goals Ronaldo has scored.

Read more: Marcus Rashford comments on ‘questionable’ VAR after Everton goal was disallowed

“It’s tough still counting goals to Cristiano, because every week it seems like a new record,” Fernandes told BT Sport, via the official Manchester United website.

“Today he had a goal and we win so that’s the most important [thing] I think for Cristiano. It is most important that the team wins and obviously for him as a striker he wants to score goals and everyone knows him. We are really, really happy for that.”

SN’s verdict…
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo’s match-winning performance is enough to win his place back under Ten Hag but Martial’s injury could offer Ronaldo a lifeline.

United now face Omonia at Old Trafford next week and Ten Hag’s team selection on that day could reveal what he’s planning to do for the following game against Newcastle.

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