Fernandes led a player-wide plea for United fans to do one thing for them before KO vs Liverpool, journo reveals
Isabel Ryan
(L-R) Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana, Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker walk out for the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / 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. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) (L-R) Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana, Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker walk out for the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / 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. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United’s fiery clash with Liverpool is underway in M16, and the Old Trafford faithful are certainly united in creating an ear-splitting noise around the stadium.
Such atmosphere only grew more electric when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s opening goal was chalked off by VAR after he had recreated Steven Gerrard’s notorious celebration of kissing the camera on the sidelines. The Liverpudlian could only react with a wry smile when the tannoy confirmed his early contribution had been revoked for an offside.
Prior to kick-off, music had been turned off for a lengthy period to allow supporters to be in full voice and set the tone for the derby. Then, while the players made their way out of the tunnel, ‘Take me home, United Road’ bellowed out in unison amongst the Reds in attendance – and there’s a reason that chant was chosen.
Fernandes fronts squad plea to sing specific chant
According to Samuel Luckhurst, the players had specifically requested that the rendition be sung by fans in the moments leading up to kick-off.
“Noticeable there was a planned rendition of ‘Take Me Home’ before kick-off. Playing that song was requested by the players, led by [Bruno] Fernandes,” Luckhurst revealed.
